SHORT SELLING TO A RELATIVE MAY BE FRAUD
Agents, brokers, sellers and buyers should be aware of the “Arms Length Transaction” affidavit that many lenders/investors are now requiring all parties to sign. This specific language could be included in the short-sale approval letter itself or may be a totally separate agreement all together (such as in the form of an Affidavit) and can read something to the following effect:
“Whereas, all parties relevant to this transaction are hereby indicating to XYZ Mortgage Corporation that no party to this contract is a family member or business associate or shares a business interest with the mortgagor(s) or mortgagee. It is further stipulated there are no “hidden terms” or “special understandings” between the seller(s), buyer(s) or their agent(s) in order to entice, induce or otherwise defraud the seller’s mortgagee in this transaction. This purchase contract is not assignable. If the purchaser intends on performing a simultaneous closing (aka flip) such a transaction can take place only if the re-conveyance is of equal or lesser value as to the current sales price indicated in this transaction. The Buyer(s) & Seller(s) nor their Agent(s) listed below have any agreements (written or implied) that will allow the Seller(s) to remain in their property as renters or to regain ownership of said property after the successful execution of this short sale transaction.”
An arms-length affidavit is a document created by a short sale bank in an attempt to prevent sellers from selling to a relative and to curb mortgage fraud. The reason the bank does not want a seller to transfer title to a relative in a short sale is because sellers cannot profit from a short sale.
Sometimes sellers make side agreements with relatives or friends to act as a straw buyer. Then, after the transaction closes, those pretend buyers quickly transfer title back to the seller. This practice, in affect, means the sellers have repurchased their home at maybe half the cost, which greatly benefits those sellers. But banks make the rules, and banks say sellers can’t benefit. If they wanted sellers to benefit, they would have agreed to a loan modification.
If you sign an arms-length affidavit on your short sale and then violate it, you could be held liable for mortgage fraud. The buyers and sellers nor their agents have any agreements written or implied that will allow the seller to remain in the property as renters or regain ownership of said property at anytime after the execution of this short sale transaction. None of the parties shall receive any proceeds from this transaction except the sales commission.
