It has always been law in Virginia that once a title on a manufactured home is surrendered to the Division of Motor Vehicles, that home is considered part of the real property and must be transferred as such. Over the years, though, DMV has been reissuing titles on manufactured homes that are removed from the real property and converted back to personal property for the purpose of trade-in or resale. Recently, DMV has reversed their position and will no longer reissue titles to manufactured homes that have been converted to real property.

An Ad-Hoc committee of VAMMHA’s Board of Directors, chaired by VAMMHA’s attorney, John Rick, will be meeting in Danville to discuss this problem and see if anything can be done to change the policy back, or determine that its in the best interest of the industry to agree with the current policy.

There are certain advantages to both positions. It may be important for the customer and retailer who want to upgrade their home, but remain on the same parcel of land. On the other hand, if we want to be considered permanent, affordable housing, we must adhere to the same laws and regulations that other forms of permanent housing comply with.

Along with Mr. Rick and me, retailers and financial representatives will discuss this issue later in the month. If you have any suggestions or comments, please get them to the VAMMHA office as soon as possible or contact Joyce McWane of Home Buyer Solutions, Cindy Tomlin of Clayton Homes in Stuarts Draft, Scott Yates of Yates Homes in Blairs or Jim Reckling of TAMMAC Holdings.