Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

Mobile homes are treated either as vehicles, under the Vehicle Code and regulated by the Department of Motor Vehicles, or as buildings, in which case they are part of the land and treated pretty much like "stick-built" houses. The county real-estate (recorder's) records should be helpful in determining which this is, but I'd guess it's probably a "vehicle" for legal purposes. In that case, maybe one approach is to find as much information as possible regarding its manufacturer and, most importantly, serial number. Look for builder's plates, VINs, anything that might uniquely identify it, then take all your information to a local office of the Dep't. of Motor Vehicles, or perhaps you can make on-line inquiry (but probably not). Be prepared to show documentary evidence that you bought and own the unit.

The DMV does not carry information about mobile homes. If you have the number of the mobile home, you can contact the the Department of Housing and Community Development, to determine who the current registered owner is. http://www.hcd.ca.gov/codes/rt/

If you can contact the registered owner, you can buy the mobile home from him or her, and if not registered to anyone living, may have to file a petition for a declaration of abandoned mobile home.