I’ve compiled a short list of resources to help sellers with debt, foreclosure, or repossession issues. All of these are available in the state of Texas.  I’m always available to answer any questions you might have about selling your mobile home. There are plenty of options and nontraditional alternatives to putting a for sale sign in your yard.

In the state of Texas, mobile home repossession laws are tricky. Consider the fact that Texas law allows for mobile homes to be considered real property when tied to land or personal property.

Helpful websites for distressed mobile home owners:

Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA)

https://www.tdhca.state.tx.us/

 

Texas Manufactured Housing Standards Act (TDHCA)

https://www.tdhca.state.tx.us/mh/docs/standards.pdf

 

Manufactured housing federal and state laws and rules (TDHCA)

https://www.tdhca.state.tx.us/mh/laws-rules.htm

 

Manufactured homes financial regulations

https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/FI/htm/FI.347.htm

Voluntary Surrender of Mobile Home

Voluntary surrender is a formal legal arrangement whereby you sign over the ownership of your mobile home to your lender so that it can be sold. Simply leaving the property and the keys do not count as a formal surrender. If you do not formally transfer ownership of the property, you still owe the mortgage, along with any arrears that build up over time.

If you opt for voluntary surrender, the lender will prepare a legal agreement to cover the proposed arrangement. Again, you will need to take legal advice before signing any such agreement. In general, the agreement will cover such matters as:

• Transferring the ownership of your home to the lender
• Who will cover the legal costs of the sale, or whether you will split them with the lender
• When you will have to move out
• How any shortfall from the sale will be handled

Free credit counseling and credit repair

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0153-choosing-credit-counselor

http://www.experian.com/credit-education/credit-repair.html

Unable to pay your property taxes?

http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/proptax/about.html

http://www.needhelppayingbills.com/html/travis_county_assistance_progr.html

Need help with paying your utilities?

Austin Energy – A charity type program known as Financial Support Plus 1 is available for City of Austin utility customers. The program helps customers who are having financial difficulties and who are unable to pay their utility bill due to an unexpected emergency or crisis. The emergency utility assistance funding is distributed through 24 local non-profits and community assistance groups such as Travis County Family Support Services. Contact (512) 494-9400 for a list of agencies.

Austin Energy – A program offered is the Customer Assistance Discount Program. It offers about $54 in monthly discounts off a customer’s City of Austin utility bill. To qualify for these savings, the account holder or someone in the customer’s household needs to be currently participating in any one of these assistance programs: Medicaid, Telephone Lifeline Program, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) also known as Food Stamps, or Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Call 512-494-9400 for an application.

Austin Energy – Customers can take advantage of some of the most comprehensive and effective energy efficiency programs in the nation. Some of these programs offered include Free Thermostats, Home Performance with ENERGY STAR(tm) Rebates and Loans, Free Home Improvements, Solar Photovoltaics, and Residential Refrigerator Recycling. Call (512) 974-7827 to get additional information about the many energy efficiencies and conservation services offered through Austin Energy.

Austin Housing Authority

Get information and apply for the Texas Section 8 program. Low-income families and individuals can receive rent and housing assistance from the federal government funded Texas Housing Choice Voucher program, more commonly known as Section 8.

Travis County

Low Rent and Section 8, Code: TX480
502 E Highland Mall Blvd
Austin, TX 78752
Phone: (512) 480-8245 Fax: (512) 480-8248

Stop The Repossession or Foreclosure of a Mobile Home

So if you’ve reached the point where you need to sell your mobile home, the prudent move is to contact an expert such as EZ Mobile Home Buyer to guide you through the complicated and time-consuming process.

EZ Mobile Home Buyer is the perfect option for getting out from under your mobile home financial obligation without the back-breaking and time-zapping work it will take to sell.

In addition, if your facing foreclosure or repossession, the fine folks at EZ Mobile Home Buyer understand the mobile home repossession laws in Texas, so they can assist you throughout the process.

At EZ Mobile Home Buyer, our job is to handle every step of the process from the moment you contact us to the moment you receive the money for your mobile home.

Our process is quick and simple. We understand your time is valuable, so if needed, we can come to you. We’ll check out your mobile home, regardless of the shape it’s in, and start the paperwork immediately.

There are many costs associated with homeownership, but a cost unique to manufactured homes is the price of moving it. Not only is it an additional cost, but it’s also quite the undertaking. (As you can imagine, moving something as heavy as a home isn’t an easy task!)

Both the cost and difficulty in moving the home may influence your buying decision. Read on to learn how this cost breaks down and what steps to take if you decide to move your mobile home.

Associated Costs

There are numerous factors that influence the cost of moving a mobile home. You’ll need to reach out to moving companies to determine what they would charge, as costs will vary between companies. Below are some of the most common factors:

Distance to Travel 

As you can imagine, the further you need to move a mobile home, the more it’s going to cost. Speak with various moving companies as their pricing will differ.

In addition to distance, you’ll also need to make sure the roads you’ll be traveling can accommodate the size of your home. You’ll need to secure permits for any states you enter, including the state the home is currently located. Some states also require an inspection of the mobile home before it’s moved to ensure it’s up-to-code. Luckily, most moving companies will handle this paperwork for you. When you’re looking for a company to work with, make sure you ask if they cover this portion of the process.

Size of Home 

Smaller mobile homes are easier and less expensive to move than larger mobile homes. And typically the larger the home, the heavier it is, which also increases the cost. It’s possible to transport a mobile home in multiple pieces, but this will add to the price of transport. Keep this in mind when deciding whether or not you want to move your home.

Home’s Foundation 

The home’s foundation influences the difficulty of moving the home, and with increased difficulty comes increased cost. A home with a slab foundation is less expensive to move than a home with a block foundation.

Tip: Don’t go with the first moving company you reach out to. Get numerous quotes—it could save you a lot of money!

Keep in mind: Movers will likely charge a cost for setting up your mobile home in its new location. This includes placing it on a new foundation and securing it, as well as hooking up your utilities.

A Couple Considerations Before Moving Your Mobile Home

Cost is a big factor to consider when thinking about moving your mobile home. The following are also important things to keep in mind:

Can My Home Be Moved?

Before even considering moving your home, you should know whether it can physically be moved or not! The older your home, the more likely it is that it won’t withstand the rough and tumble process of transporting it. Be transparent with moving companies about the condition of your home. They will know whether it’s in a condition that allows it to be moved.

HUD Considerations

The HUD code divides the United States into three different zones with their own unique requirements depending on the area’s climate and location, For example, a mobile home in Minnesota has different requirements than a home in Florida. Look into your state’s requirements along with the requirements of the state you plan to move to. If your mobile home doesn’t meet the requirements of your new state, don’t plan to move it.  Instead, think about selling it “As Is” to a local investor.

If you’re moving to a mobile home park, there shouldn’t be any zoning issues. But if you’re planning to move your mobile home to land that you own, check local zoning laws. Different cities have different requirements for homes based on age and size.

So should you move a mobile home? The costs can add up quickly, and oftentimes it doesn’t make financial sense to do so. But some families have sentimental reasons or other considerations that make the move justifiable. Do your research and determine whether moving

your mobile home is the right decision for you.

If you decide you don’t want to move your mobile home, EZ Mobile Home Buyer will buy your mobile home as-is in its current location. You can use that cash to buy a new mobile home in a new location that’s just right for you.

Don’t worry, you have options.  We buy mobile homes in Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio on a monthly basis so that you can sell your home in a timely manner.