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Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with REVOLV Real Estate Broker MA & RI
Deed-in Lieu of Foreclosure is, in effect, giving your property to your lender in exchange for cancellation of your mortgage.  It is sometimes also referred to as “Cash for Keys”.

In a recent policy statement (MORTGAGEE LETTER 2002-13HUD authorized lenders to pay FHA borrowers up to $1000.00 for a Deed in Lieu of foreclosure.on the condition that the occupant peacefully vacates a property for which the mortgage has been foreclosed and the property is left broom clean.

If you are approved for a Deed-in-Lieu, you will deed the property over to your lender in exchange for a release from the obligation to repay your mortgage.  Your lender may also waive their deficiency judgment rights.  If not, you could still owe your lender money after they have “fixed up” and sold your property.

There may be tax consequences of a Deed in Lieu transaction.  A qualified tax professional should be consulted to determine the impact this may have in your case.

Lenders will consider accepting a Deed in Lieu transaction when other options are not possible.  Generally, lenders expect the following conditions to be met in order to consider offering a homeowner a Deed in Lieu solution:

  • You have experienced a long term financial hardship that has not been resolved.
  • Your house has been on the market (at fair market value) for at least 90 days. 
  • There are no additional claims or liens (other than the first mortgage) against the property.
  • The house is broom clean.
Robert D. Ashby
Cruise Planners of South Florida - Plantation, FL
Providing Personalized Travel
Just remember that a Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure still affects your credit rating.  In may not hurt as bad, but it still hurts and may make it difficult to secure financing in the near future.
May 14, 2007 07:55 AM
Lynda Eisenmann
Preferred Home Brokers - Brea, CA
Broker Associate ,CRS,GRI,SRES, Brea,CA, Orange Co

Hi Denis,

Thanks for the good info on a deed in lieu.

Do you know if the HUD  $1,000 policy is across the board? Throughout the U.S.?  Also, does them that mean they accept the property without a title policy?  We did a few of them in the 90's but nothing this time around (yet). In the 90's most lenders required a title policy from the borrower to eliminate any "excess baggage" liens, back taxes, etc.

Thanks!

May 14, 2007 07:57 AM
Anonymous
Katherine
I guess this means it is not possible for us as we have a second loan against this home?  Or is that negotiable?
Oct 08, 2007 02:29 PM
#3
Anonymous
Hal
I am curious as to how this would affect my taxes?
Oct 09, 2007 11:34 AM
#4
Anonymous
Anonymous

Why is would there be a deficiency balance or judgement on a mortgage and/or credit line in the sate of California? I thought the property was the only thing securing the loan. What happens is you have a first and a credit line and the property id worth less than what you owe? Also it was not a purchase money loan.

 

Thanks....Manny

Oct 11, 2007 05:32 AM
#5
Amy O'Laughlin
Broken Arrow, OK

HUD's website answers some of the questions above:

http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/nsc/faqdil.cfm

 

Feb 27, 2009 07:17 AM