Open Title Purchase

[1L243]

I was looking at a trailer online and it was reported to have a clean title. The seller explained he had the title after purchase from a family member original owner who signed the back of the title. But he never had it transferred in his name. The trailer sits on family property so he did not see the need since he was not towing it anywhere. I did not feel comfortable with the situation so I passed tell he gets the trailer transferred in his name.

What do you think

[ScottG]

Where I live, if you wait too long to transfer title, you will be fined.

[Lantley]

1L243 wrote:
The seller can go to DMV by him self and call me when he gets it transferred!

It depends on how bad the buyer wants the unit. If the seller puts the Rv in his name he will pay fees taxes on the transaction. ASt this point the seller has avoided those fees thus far why pay them now?
The buyer is going to have to pay registration fees either weay to put RV in his name, but at this point the seller doesn't need to pay those fees. The seller can pay the fees to make the sale or find another buyer. Likewise the buyer can avoid the scenario and buy another RV.
Which gets back to the point, this is all a paperwork issue. If the buyer truly likes the RV otherwise he has incentive to negotiate to seal the deal. The paperwork issue does not have to be the deal breaker if the buyer believes the seller is honest and the rig was not registered because it was never put on the road, which is a very common practice

[1L243]

Ooops

[1L243]

The seller can go to DMV by him self and call me when he gets it transferred!

[JRscooby]

Well it looks like mods don't want anybody to know my experience with open titles.
If the name state printed on the title is not same as person that is selling what indication do you have the seller is owner? Anybody that can convince a judge the trailer belongs to them will take the trailer.

And for the idea "hold the last of the money"; You pay 10%, hold 90. What reason does "owner" have to do the paperwork? Sure, he doesn't get the 90% FROM YOU But he can get 10% from a dozen others, still have trailer

[Lantley]

The open title alone would not be the deal breaker for me.
The seller could go to DMV with me or we could strike a deal that final payment will not be made until all title work is complete and finalized.

[ferndaleflyer]

I have bought and sold many times with an open title. If the signature on the back is the same name as the one on the front---who cares, other than those who make money doing the paper work and the ever present tax folks.

[1L243]

I told he needs to transfer title in his name then I'll buy it

[Grit_dog]

I can add that there’s a lot of supposition in the replies. Has been my experience in several different states that it’s no problem re-titling a vehicle that has a title from an owner previous to the seller.
OP, if it’s the right camper, then get it. As long as the title is endorsed properly and is a legit title you won’t have any problems in OR or WA and any other state I’ve lived in.
Heck that’s how most old junk like vehicles and campers end up anyways. It’s not uncommon and it’s not illegal, whatever. And you certainly won’t be on the hook for any back fees for a vehicle you didn’t own when the fees were incurred.

[rk911]

CA Traveler wrote:
Without a current clear title I'd pass. I'm just not interested in clearing up someones title with unknow issues.

absolutely correct. run, do not walk, away.

[valhalla360]

Just make it part of the deal that he goes with you to transfer the title and he is responsible for any fees or penalties. He gets paid at the dmv once he hands you a clean title in your name.

[1L243]

From what I have read the person on the title is still the registered owner even though they signed the title because the second party the guy selling it has never transferred the title into his name.
Plus there is the issue of the trailer being in a different state than party #3 buyer.
I also read that it's illegal but don't know if that is every State.

[monkey44]

If you really want it, accompany the owner to the title company or registration office in your state. Explain the situation, have owner sign and pay any late fees. IF he can't or won't do that, and get you a new clear title in your name the same day. That's it, start looking again.

[CA_Traveler]

Without a current clear title I'd pass. I'm just not interested in clearing up someones title with unknow issues.

[eHoefler]

It is called title jumping, it is illegal. He needs to register in his name and then sell it to you. You can and most likely will have trouble getting it registered in your name with out paying back taxes and penalties.