Help with Purchase/Transfer of Title

[Anthonycanada]

I’ve been reading the great post on importing from the US to Canada. Rather than adding the thread, I have started another post in hopes that more people can respond and help me with some questions.

I am very close to a deal with a private seller in Ohio and will be bring a 2000 911 back to Vancouver. I can follow the importation requirements from riv and this board but what I am unsure about is the actual transaction and the transfer of title. I guess with any long distance deals, certain trust is involved but is there a “safe” way other than flying down to Ohio and doing the transfer of ownership in person? How would you do a title search and lien check long distance?

I think this is what has to happen:

1) Agree to a price and have both parties sign the purchase agreement. I can print out the Bill of Sale from the original post.

2) Wire the money to the buyer.

3) Have the title signed over to my name by the seller at the US motor vehicles branch. I think there are some forms to be fill out by the seller for out of State sales and I don’t think I need to pay Ohio sales tax for the purchase.

Now is there a company I can hire to make sure this process goes smoothly? I am thinking of asking the Porsche dealer that is doing the PPI to do the paperwork for some nominal fee or am I worrying too much. What have others who bought privately done in the past?

Your help is greatly appreciated.

[speedracer]

Originally Posted by Anthonycanada

1) Agree to a price and have both parties sign the purchase agreement. I can print out the Bill of Sale from the original post.

2) Wire the money to the buyer.

3) Have the title signed over to my name by the seller at the US motor vehicles branch. I think there are some forms to be fill out by the seller for out of State sales and I don’t think I need to pay Ohio sales tax for the purchase.

I bought in the US about 3 years ago so I have a little experience with this. I would never wire money to a buyer. You cannot be certain you will get the title or the car for that matter. I would take the couple of days to go there to pay the funds personally and sign the title right there when the money is exchanged. I would not take a chance on a 30k + loss if something should go wrong.

I met the seller of the my car and we went to the bank together. After paying him in front of the bank manager he signed the title over to me which was witnessed by the manager as well. Good luck with your purchase and be sure to post photos!

[dvkk]

Originally Posted by Anthonycanada

3) Have the title signed over to my name by the seller at the US motor vehicles branch. I think there are some forms to be fill out by the seller for out of State sales and I don’t think I need to pay Ohio sales tax for the purchase.

In the US, they don't sign over a title to you personally, they just sign the pink slip releasing it to whoever buys it. There's no buyer's name on it anywhere. Also, you don't go down to that state's DMV and register it, unless you are living there. There are no forms to fill out.

[Anthonycanada]

Thanks for the tips. Doing the transaction in person is the safest way. I was hoping that I can save a few bucks on an airplane ticket and use if for duty and taxes.

dvkk, where do you obtain the pink slip for releasing the Title? Is it from the local DMV?

[GWN7]

The "pink slip" is the title.....most titles (as mentioned before) just require the current owner to sign it over to you.

In Cali the titles were Rose coloured with a blue border....that's one explanation as to how they got called that.

Also most titles will have a record on them if there is a chattel morgage on them (lien). It will say on it that it is free and clear. If a bank/loan compnay is mentioned on it call them up and ask what is the title status.

[dvkk]

Originally Posted by Anthonycanada

where do you obtain the pink slip for releasing the Title? Is it from the local DMV?

In the US, the title actually has some value. Not like the retarded system we have. If the guy has the title, he owns the car. It will say so on the title. They don't HIDE that info and make you PAY to find out if there's a loan outstanding against the car.

[Math]

I bought a 911 in ohio last week.
I went down, look at the car and decided to buy it.
the seller wrote on the back of the title that he sold it to me.
then, we went to the licence bureau and they gave me a 1 month temp plate. then I drove the car to the borders, gave them my title and I have to get the car at the border monday.they need 72 hors to check the title.
there was no leans agaist the car and its 25 years old, so it was a bit simpler.
PM me if you have questions.
what year is the car you are looking at?

[Anthonycanada]

Thanks Math, dvkk and GWN7. The car is a 2000 911 with only 30k miles. I just had it inspected at the Porsche dealer. They found signs of oil stains on both sides of the valve covers and at the RMS. Very faint and the owner said he never had any leaks on his garage floor. I was hoping the seals were good but... got to think about it more.

Being in the West Coast, I wouldn't want to drive the car 2000 miles back home so I would be using a transport company if I do take the car.

All the information you provided have at least given me the confidence to buy a car from the States. Now if only the loonie can go back to par with the green back!