Titling of Manufactured Homes

The ownership of a manufactured home is legally recorded by either obtaining a certificate of title from the county clerk or by filing an affidavit of affixation with the register of deeds. These types of structures generally are considered personal property and are titled in a manner similar to motor vehicles by certificate of title, but under certain circumstances these structures may be so permanently affixed to the land that they become more like a house, and ownership is recorded in the real property records.  Whether the structure is considered personal property or real property is important to lenders trying to perfect a security interest in these structures.  The distinction is also important for bankruptcy law purposes, because a debtor in bankruptcy is allowed certain preferences with regard to real property that is the debtor’s principal residence.