Deed In Lieu Of Foreclosure: What To Know

You’re probably already aware that your lender will have to act if you fall behind on your mortgage payments. A deed in lieu agreement might help you avoid the repercussions of a foreclosure, the legal process in which the lender who owns your loan takes your property back.

Let’s look at how a deed in lieu agreement works and how it differs from a foreclosure. We’ll also show you a few other alternatives that borrowers can use to avoid foreclosure without a deed in lieu agreement.

A deed in lieu agreement is an arrangement where you give your mortgage lender the deed to your home. Homeowners agree to deed in lieu agreements to avoid foreclosure.

Foreclosures show up on your credit report, which can make it virtually impossible for you to buy another home for years. A deed in lieu of foreclosure can release you from your mortgage responsibilities and allow you to avoid a foreclosure on your credit report.

When you hand over the deed, the lender releases their lien on the property. This allows the lender to recoup some of the losses without forcing you into foreclosure. When you turn over your deed, the lender also releases you from anything else you owe on the mortgage. Many homeowners seek deed in lieu agreements when their mortgage ends up underwater, meaning they owe more on their home than the home is worth.

It’s important to remember that your lender has no obligation to accept a deed in lieu agreement. Some of the reasons why a lender might reject a deed in lieu include:

• A depreciated home value: If the fair market value of your home has gone down, you might owe more on your loan than your home is worth. In this case, a lender may agree to accept a deed in lieu agreement. In this instance, your lender might only agree to accept the deed in lieu agreement if you pay the difference between the appraised value and what you owe. Rocket Mortgage does not do this.
• Liens or tax judgments on your property: It becomes more complicated when you give up your deed if you have a judgment or secondary lien, which is a claim to your property that the lender didn’t make. Some lenders will work with you to clear the lien if they see that someone else has a claim on the property.
• Poor home condition: If your home is in poor condition, your lender could potentially reject any deed in lieu agreement you propose.

Though a lender isn’t obligated to accept your deed in lieu of foreclosure, they have a few incentives to do so. Some of the benefits your lender gets when they take a deed in lieu include:

• Faster control over your property: Lenders must pay attorneys to go to court, prove that you haven’t been paying your bills and get approval from the court to take your property in foreclosure. The lender must also legally evict you from the property, even after they’ve already gone to court. Your lender saves both time and money by taking a deed in lieu.
• Better property conditions: Lenders may agree to take control of properties that are in good condition because these properties sell for more money and spend less time on the market. A lender will sometimes stipulate that you must keep the property in good condition with a deed in lieu.

A deed in lieu and a foreclosure aren’t the same. Let’s examine their differences below.

Deed In Lieu Agreement

A deed in lieu means you and your lender reach a mutual understanding that you’re no longer able to make your mortgage loan payments. The lender agrees to avoid putting you into foreclosure when you hand the property over amicably.

In exchange, the lender releases you from your obligations under the mortgage. Your lender might even offer you a bit of financial assistance as an incentive to keep the property in good shape before you leave.

Though a deed in lieu will show up on your credit report, its impact isn’t as severe as a foreclosure.

Foreclosure Process

Your lender must go through the proper legal channels to take back control over the property through the foreclosure process, which can come with many drawbacks for the client if it gets to that point.

For example, a foreclosure will impair your credit score and stay on your credit report for 7 years. During this time, it will be extremely difficult for you to buy another home unless you can pay cash for the home. Your lender may or may not offer you a financial incentive to leave the property if you allow the home to go into foreclosure.

Remember that a foreclosure proceeding is a long and expensive process for both you and the lender. You should consider all of your options very carefully before you agree to give up the deed to your home. In many cases, it’s best for both you and the lender to restructure your mortgage instead of pursuing a foreclosure.

Contact a Housing and Urban Development (HUD) housing counselor or a defense attorney who specializes in foreclosures before deciding on your best course of action.

Whether you should take a deed in lieu depends upon your unique situation. Let’s look at some of the benefits and drawbacks.

Benefits Of A Deed In Lieu

• Minimization of your deficiency: A “deficiency” is the negative difference between what you owe on your home and what it’s worth. A deed in lieu can eliminate your deficiency if you owe more on your home than the home is worth. In exchange for giving the lender your deed voluntarily and keeping the home in good condition, your lender may agree to forgive your deficiency or greatly reduce it.
• Potential for moving assistance: Lenders want to take control of your property when it’s in the best condition possible. Many lenders offer “cash for keys” agreements to help you find a new place to live when you forfeit your deed without damaging your home.
• Less damage to your credit: A deed in lieu agreement stays on your credit report for 4 years while a foreclosure sticks around for 7 years. Taking a deed in lieu agreement can allow you to buy a new home sooner than if you go through a foreclosure.

Drawbacks Of A Deed In Lieu

• Loss of your home: Your lender removes your name from the title of your home when you take a deed in lieu of foreclosure. This arrangement isn’t right for you if you still want to live in your home.
• No guarantee of acceptance: Your lender isn’t obligated to accept your deed in lieu of foreclosure.
• Your credit will still take a hit: While a deed in lieu arrangement won’t harm your credit as drastically as a foreclosure, you can still expect your score to drop. You also won’t be able to easily get another mortgage if you have a deed in lieu on your credit report.
• You may owe tax money on your forgiven loan balance: If your lender forgives more than $600 of deficiency on your loan, the IRS considers it income. You’ll likely have to pay income tax on any deficiency your lender forgives when you pay taxes.

A deed in lieu isn’t the only way to get mortgage help and avoid foreclosure. Let’s examine a few other options you have when you can’t make your mortgage payments.

Loan Modification

A loan modification might be right for you if you can’t make your mortgage payments but you want to remain in your home. A loan modification means your lender changes the interest rate on your loan to match current market rates.

You may owe more on your home than it’s worth. In that case, your lender may be able to put the excess principal in a forbearance account.

While in forbearance, the excess principal doesn’t build interest. This can stop you from falling further into mortgage debt while you pay off what you owe. The amount in forbearance is due when you pay off the rest of the loan.

Like a deed in lieu agreement, a lender has no obligation to modify your loan or allow a mortgage forbearance instead of foreclosing on your home. Work with your lender to try to find a solution that’s beneficial for both of you.

Short Sale

You may be able to sell your home through a short sale if you can’t get a modification or you don’t want to keep living in your home. A short sale means you sell the home for less than the amount left on your mortgage.

Most short sales take place because property values have gone down in an area. During a short sale, you communicate with buyers, show your home and talk with real estate agents just like a normal sale. However, unlike a normal sale, your lender needs to approve the short sale before it goes through.

You may still owe money after a short sale. If you have a deficiency balance, your lender may sue and take you to court to get a deficiency judgment. If you aren’t prepared to pay the difference between what’s left on your loan and the amount your home sells for, be sure to ask your lender to waive their right to sue for deficiency. Some states (like California) have laws that ban deficiencies after a short sale.

A deed in lieu agreement might help you move out of your home and avoid foreclosure. When you take a deed in lieu agreement, you transfer your home’s deed to your lender voluntarily. In exchange, the lender agrees to forgive the amount left on your loan.

A deed in lieu agreement won’t stay on your credit report like a foreclosure. However, your lender must first agree to take the deed in lieu of foreclosure; they’re under no obligation to accept your terms. You can improve your chances of acceptance by keeping your home in good condition.

You can stay in your home with a loan modification if you don’t want to take a deed in lieu, but you may also sell your home with a short sale if you can’t make a modification work for you.

Remember that everyone’s financial situation is different, and it’s best to speak with a licensed financial expert or adviser before making any major financial decisions.

Have questions or need some help with your mortgage? Speak with a Home Loan Expert today.