teach me how to privately sell a car - across state lines

[NetWareHead]

My dad is getting rid of his 2003 Acura CL. Dad lives in NJ and I live in NH. if I sell the car for my dad in NH I would need to first drive it over here and start showing it to people. I would get the title from him. I was thinking that he would need to sign it and give it to me so this way when I get the money from a buyer, i just give them the signed title with my dad's signature on it and be done. What about the license plates on it? these will be NJ plates on a car sold in NH. Do we both need to go to the vehicle registry and get the car registered there to the new buyer? I've never sold a car privately before...any advice?

 

[iamwiz82]

You will send a lot of potential buyers running away if you are trying to sell a car that isn't in your name like that.

 

[Fritzo]

Yeah, you're going to want to get the title squared away and pre-notarized so you can just do a money swap and go.

 

[NetWareHead]

What if I am selling it on my father's behalf? Are you both saying that I have to transfer the title to my own name?

 

[SyndromeOCZ]

No, you just need to make it so all that needs to happen at the sale is they give you the money and you give them a signed title which would allow them to put their name on it and own it out right.

I've done this on a few vehicles, though I'm not sure where it stands on legality and all that. And I believe it changes by state on weather you need it notarized or not.

I also do a bill of sale along with the title, it makes it easier to register it at the DMV.

 

[Zargon]

No, you just need to make it so all that needs to happen at the sale is they give you the money and you give them a signed title which would allow them to put their name on it and own it out right.

I've done this on a few vehicles, though I'm not sure where it stands on legality and all that. And I believe it changes by state on weather you need it notarized or not.

I also do a bill of sale along with the title, it makes it easier to register it at the DMV.

this.

 

[NetWareHead]

I also do a bill of sale along with the title, it makes it easier to register it at the DMV.

OK, I'll create a document akin to a receipt that the new owner can take to DMV to show that he purchased the car. My GF is a notary and can put her stamp on it too.

 

[Midwayman]

If you want to go all out, get a Power of attorney form online, have him fill it out, and GF notarize it. It'll allow you to do anything you need to do title wise if there are issues. I did it buying a house recently, and its easy to do. Generally you'll then sign 'His name by your name, his agent.'

 

[Meghan54]

First, what you want to do is done every day, more than once. Sold my father-in-law's car for him without him around or being in state. Title signed already.....no problems.

Don't know about NJ, but in MA, GA, SC and other states, the plates remain with the owner/registrant of the plates and typically have to be turned in to the DMV. I know in MA the plates must be turned in to cancel your insurance.

For the buyer registering the car, you need to go nowhere and do nothing. Once you sell it, hand over the signed title, bill of sale, etc., and get your money, you're done with the transaction. The onus is then on the buyer to get it registered.

If you want to go all out, get a Power of attorney form online, have him fill it out, and GF notarize it. It'll allow you to do anything you need to do title wise if there are issues. I did it buying a house recently, and its easy to do. Generally you'll then sign 'His name by your name, his agent.'

If you go the power of attorney route, and I wonder why you'd really need to, get a limited power of attorney specifically for selling the car. (A general PoA would potentially give you the ability to do darned near anything with your father's worldly goods, and then some.)

Then you wouldn't need your father's signature or anything else--you'd do all the signing, etc. You'd have to attach a copy of said PoA along with the title, and I'd think whoever bought the vehicle may have a more difficult time getting it registered instead of simply letting your father sign the title and you sell the car. Heck, bet you even have your father's phone number and can talk with prospective buyers.

 

[Railgun]

I sold my car this way. Moved to London. Car was registered in Indiana. Sold while car was in NM to a guy from Utah or near there.

Power of attorney is what you need. As soon as that's set, you can sign his title with your name to sign over. Done and done. It's the easiest way to do it.