Listed by: Realty Works Temecula

Highly likely to recommend – A review from another Satisfied Temecula CA Short Sale Client.

Sold a Single Family SHORT SALE HOME in Temecula, CA.

Summary:

Response from Sidney on 09/27/2012

Matt, Thanks so much for taking the time to let the public know how seriously I take the job of handling my clients short sale transactions. Sidney Kutchuk Broker Realty Works Temecula

Mortgage Debt Cancellation      A message from the President of C.A.R. Calif Assoc of Realtors.
Last month, I mentioned the expiration of the mortgage debt cancellation provision, which ends Dec. 31, 2012.  The mortgage debt forgiveness issue is only one of approximately 60 expiring tax provisions that Congress appears unable to extend prior to its recess for the November elections.  Congress is pushing the extension of any expiring tax provision to the lame duck session, along with any increase in the debt ceiling, and any serious attempts to prevent the mandatory budget cuts agreed to during last year’s debt ceiling deal.

California’s tax treatment of mortgage debt relief income generally aligns with federal law, and both the California and federal laws are set to expire at the end of 2012. For debt forgiven on a loan secured by a “qualified principal residence,” borrowers are exempt from both federal and state income tax consequences, but only until Dec. 31, 2012.  The existing federal exemption is for indebtedness up to $2 million, whereas the new California exemption is for indebtedness up to $800,000 and forgiven debt up to $500,000.

However, these tax breaks apply only to debts discharged from 2009 through 2012. It may be that Congress will take action to extend the federal exemption before year’s end, but we will have to wait and see. If the federal law is extended, it is likely that California would follow in due course, as in the past, but it is not guaranteed.  The last time the federal tax exemption was extended, California did not conform its tax law until well into the next year.

Sellers who have transactions closing after Dec. 31, 2012, should speak to their own legal counsel or tax advisors about the impact of the expiration of these laws and their potential tax liabilities, including the applicability of other exemptions from debt relief income tax.

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Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will allow borrowers who are current on their mortgage payments to qualify for short sales.

Starting Nov. 1, owners whose loans have been purchased or guaranteed by Fannie or Freddie may qualify for a short sale if they fit key hardship criteria including: unemployment; divorce; long-term disability; a change of employment that is more than 50 miles from the current home; a business failure; death of the primary or secondary wage earner; or a natural or man-made disaster.

Fannie and Freddie will allow borrowers who are current on their mortgage payments — not seriously delinquent as traditionally required — to qualify for short sales, provided they fit the hardship criteria.

In the past, short sales often have been drawn out and contentious, sometimes taking nine months or more to close. They have also had a high rate of failure and cancellations, when buyers get frustrated and bail out of the transaction after waiting for banks and loan servicers to make decisions and process paperwork.

Another other key change in Fannie and Freddie short sales is that members of the armed forces who receive permanent change-of-status orders and are underwater will be automatically eligible for short sales, even if they are current on their loan payments.

To find out whether your loan is owned by Fannie or Freddie, visit either FannieMae.com/loanlookupor FreddieMac.com/corporate.