If you have ever sold a home in California then you have probably endured the request for your social security number on certain documents that are then disseminated to the buyers of your home. This has always been an area of concern for many sellers. Countless times, sellers have asked why they were required to disclose such personal information to the buyer.

Thankfully the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 contains a major revision to this requirement. Effective immediately sellers are no longer required to provide their buyers the Sellers Affidavit on Non Foreign Status as long as the seller furnishes the Seller's Affidavit with their social security number to escrow or a "qualified substitute." A "qualified substitute" is a person chosen to close the transaction. This can include an escrow company, a title company, or the buyer's agent.