{"id":560,"date":"2019-01-25T08:59:32","date_gmt":"2019-01-25T13:59:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.deeds.com\/articles\/?p=560"},"modified":"2024-04-25T23:21:07","modified_gmt":"2024-04-26T03:21:07","slug":"understanding-the-deed-in-lieu-of-foreclosure-process","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.deeds.com\/articles\/understanding-the-deed-in-lieu-of-foreclosure-process\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding the Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure Process"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Losing a\nhome to foreclosure is devastating, no matter the circumstances. To avoid the\nactual foreclosure process, the homeowner may opt to use a deed in lieu of foreclosure,\nalso known as a mortgage release. In simplest terms, a deed in lieu of\nforeclosure is a document transferring the title of a home from the homeowner\nto the mortgage lender. The lender is basically taking back the property. While\nsimilar to a short sale, a deed in lieu of foreclosure is a different\ntransaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Short\nSales vs. Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If a\nhomeowner sells their property to another party for less than the amount of\ntheir mortgage, that is known as a short sale. Their lender has previously\nagreed to accept this amount and then releases the homeowner\u2019s mortgage lien.\nHowever, in some states the lender can pursue the homeowner for the deficiency,\nor the difference between the short sale price and the amount owed on the\nmortgage. If the mortgage was $200,000 and the short sale price was $175,000,\nthe deficiency is $25,000. The homeowner avoids responsibility for the\ndeficiency by ensuring that the agreement with the lender waives their\ndeficiency rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With a deed\nin lieu of foreclosure, the homeowner voluntarily transfers the title to the\nlender, and the lender releases the mortgage lien. There\u2019s another key\nprovision to a deed in lieu of foreclosure: The homeowner and the lender must\nact in good faith and the homeowner is acting voluntarily. For that reason, the\nhomeowner must offer in writing that they enter such negotiations voluntarily.\nWithout such a statement, the lender cannot consider a deed in lieu of\nforeclosure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When\nconsidering whether a short sale or deed in lieu of foreclosure is the best way\nto proceed, keep in mind that a short sale only occurs if you can sell the\nproperty, and your lender approves the transaction. That\u2019s not required for a\ndeed in lieu of foreclosure. A short sale is usually going to take a lot more\ntime than a deed in lieu of foreclosure, although lenders often prefer the\nformer to the latter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Documents\nNeeded for Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A homeowner\ncan\u2019t simply show up at the lender\u2019s office with a deed in lieu form and\ncomplete the transaction. First, they must contact the lender and ask for an\napplication for loss mitigation. This is a form also used in a short sale.\nAfter filling out this form, the homeowner must submit required documentation,\nwhich may include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00b7 \nBank statements<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00b7 \nMonthly income and expenses<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00b7 \nProof of income<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00b7 \nTax returns<\/p>\n\n\n\n The\nhomeowner may also need to fill out a hardship affidavit. If the lender\napproves the application, it will send the homeowner a deed transferring\nownership of the dwelling, as well as an estoppel affidavit. The latter is a\ndocument setting out the deed in lieu of foreclosure\u2019s terms, which includes\nmaintaining the property and turning it over in good condition. Read this\ndocument carefully, as it will address whether the deed in lieu completely\nsatisfies the mortgage or if the lender can pursue any deficiency. If the\ndeficiency provision exists, discuss this with the lender before signing and\nreturning the affidavit. If the lender agrees to waive the deficiency, make\nsure you get this information in writing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n