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Realtor Call to Action – Forgiven Mortgage Debt Tax Exemption Expiring

Reblogger Terkel Sørensen
Real Estate Agent with Real Estate Places CA BRE #01802964

This its pretty important stuff if you need to sell your home and you're underwater. 

There its no rule that only Realtors can participate. Send your letter NOW.

 

Original content by Richard Zaretsky

The NAR has put out a CALL TO ACTION regarding the expiration January 1 2013 of the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007.  Every Realtor should take a stand, voice their concern and get Congress and the President to work on this immediately after Election Day.

The Foreclosure Relief Act expires naturally at the stroke of 11:59:59 PM December 31, 2012 which means any short sale closings, deed in lieu of foreclosure, mortgage modifications with principal forgiveness and foreclosures with waivers of deficiency, that occur (that means it closes, or is signed off by the lender) on or after January 1, 2013 will likely incur ordinary income tax on the borrower.  The Act was discussed in my blogs, MORTGAGE RELIEF ACT - CHRISTMAS PRESENT TO PRIMARY HOMEOWNERS, and Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007- Another Look, and SHORT SELLER STILL MUST DECLARE INCOME ON SALE!.

The failure to act to extend the tax relief will surely increase the amount of bankruptcy filings (a bankruptcy before the forgiveness of the debt makes the forgiveness moot, since the bankruptcy wipes out or reduces the debt, therefore there is nothing to forgive, and therefore no income). Bankruptcy filings increase the likelihood of the borrower walking away from the overleveraged home, etc., etc., etc.

Here is a video by NAR President Moe Veissi – check it out and make your vote count.

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© 2012 Richard P Zaretsky, Esq.

Be sure to contact your own attorney for your state laws, and always consult your own attorney on any legal decision you need to make. This article is for information purposes and is not specific advice to any one reader.

Richard Zaretsky, Esq., RICHARD P. ZARETSKY P.A. ATTORNEYS AT LAW, 1655 PALM BEACH LAKES BLVD, SUITE 900, WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA 33401, PHONE 561 689 6660 RPZ99@Florida-Counsel.com - FLORIDA BAR BOARD CERTIFIED IN REAL ESTATE LAW - We assist Brokers and Sellers with Short Sales and Modifications and Consult with Brokers and Sellers Nationwide! Shortsales@Florida-Counsel.com New Website www.Florida-Counsel.com.

See our easy to find articles at TABLE OF CONTENTS - SHORT SALE AND LOAN MODIFICATION ARTICLES

Edward & Celia Maddox
The Celtic Connection Realty - Queen Creek, AZ
EXPERIENCE & INTEGRITY - WE TAKE THE HIGH ROAD

This will be a big blow to short sales, if not remewed next year.

Nov 05, 2012 11:37 PM
Terkel Sørensen
Real Estate Places - Temecula, CA
Realtor, 951.805.0773 , Bank owned and Short Sales

For sure, if this does not get renewed, a lot of people loose the incentive to Getty out in a good easy. 

Why does everything have to come down to the wire though, this could have been taken care of this summer.

Nov 05, 2012 11:44 PM
Dave Halpern
Dave Halpern Real Estate Agent, Inc., Louisville, KY (502) 664-7827 - Louisville, KY
Louisville Short Sale Expert

If it does not get renewed there will be many ripple effects;

1. The number of bankruptcies will skyrocket

2. Banks will lose more money as homeowners will stay in the houses longer while the bankruptcy takes place.

3. The benefit of doing a short sale will diminish, causing more foreclosures in the economy.

4. A resulting spike in foreclosures will decrease market values of surrounding properties.

5. Americans who will not or cannot file bankruptcy will be saddled with massive tax debts which could cause judgments, wage garnishments and more.

I could go on describing more ripple effects, but these listed are depressing enough.

Nov 11, 2012 04:11 AM
Terkel Sørensen
Real Estate Places - Temecula, CA
Realtor, 951.805.0773 , Bank owned and Short Sales

You're absolutely right Dave. Not sure why people are not getting how big the impact of this can be - If I was just another homeowner, I would run out and send a letter myself. 

Nov 11, 2012 06:05 AM