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romanbones

Real Estate Investor
las vegas, Nevada
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8 posts

Does anyone understand how to as asigns a short sale so that you can wholesale the property without purchasing it first.

I am trying to avoid seasoning of title and any transfer tax that would come with it.

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Peter V.

Real Estate Coach
Atlanta, Georgia
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81 posts

When you negotiate a short sale, the bank really expects you to be at the closing table. It would be fairly difficult to assign a short sale.

Upon negotiating and submitting your offer the bank will want to be presented with a contract. If the contract is an assignable one, the bank most likely will not even negotiate with you.

In todays climate banks are looking to deal directly with the buyers especially when it comes to short sales.

I would figure out how to buy the short sale property first and then resell it.

Dan O.

Real Estate Investor
CO
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569 posts

Mark,

One tried & true method is to simply form a corporate entity for the sole purpose of buying a property as you mentioned.

Then you simply sell the entity to your investor for the amount of your profit. This way, seasoning (as well as hoping the lender will work with an assignable contract) is a non-issue.

The same can be done using a Trust and assigning beneficial interest in the Trust to your investor but many lenders tend to shy away from Trusts so I typically use the above method when negotiating a short sale I intend to flip.

Kevin M.

Real Estate Consultant
new haven, Connecticut
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27 posts

Dan,

Are you refering to same day closings?

Dan O.

Real Estate Investor
CO
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569 posts

Hey Kevin,

Not necessarily.

If your investor is the least bit sophisticated, you can make it happen prior to closing. They simply step into your shoes at closing as a rep of the corp, etc.

Lynn P.

Real Estate Investor
Provo, Utah
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38 posts

We do cash purchases and assign the contracts all the time. If there is any finder's fee to be paid, it can be done on the side. If your a realtor you can get the entire commission. At least that's what's worked for me.

Dan O.

Real Estate Investor
CO
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569 posts

Lynn,

Maybe I misunderstood Mark's original post but I believe he was asking about seasoning issues because of a conventional lender being involved in short sale.

Btw, paying "finder's fees" outside of closing is a whole other can of worms that could spark a debate on its own. ;-)

romanbones

Real Estate Investor
las vegas, Nevada
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8 posts

Never thought of selling the corporation to the investor.

Thanks Dan

Tom T.

Real Estate Investor
San Antonio, Texas
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42 posts

there are tax implications when you sell your corporation for a profit. Someones been watching too many late nite rei infomercials : )

John Q.

Real Estate Investor
CA
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80 posts

Problem with short sales is this. Most short sale investors do not have the money to buy, then fix, then sell, hence they find an end buyer.
Some of you know this and your first thought is to assign the short sale contract. HUGE PROBLEM!

Banks are getting weary of investors wasting there time with offer that goes no where.Short sales cannot be assigned. The lenders ALL put that restriction right into their approval letters ––the buyer cannot be substituted.
Most short sales are bought by an end buyer who is going to get financing from a mortgage company/bank. Well, all those lenders have seasoning requirements. When you buy and sell quickly you create a seasoning problem.
Alot of investors went to jail last year. Do not be one of them.Don't take my word for it. Talk to your own attorney.

To satisfy the seasoning requirements here is a hint:equitable interest!!!

romanbones

Real Estate Investor
las vegas, Nevada
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8 posts

There has to be a way to disclose what your doing and still get the short sale approved. I have heard of a way before but don't have all the details.

Dan O.

Real Estate Investor
CO
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569 posts

Tom,

Uhhh...Mark was asking about avoiding seasoning issues and tranfer tax, not creating a taxable event by selling a corp. You won't hear about that on late night infomercials. ;-)

Mark, you've received a real mixed bag of replies to your question.

Weigh the facts and make your own decision. If you consult your attorney about the legal ramifications, print this thread and be sure to ask for clarification regarding what I mentioned.

On a side note...also ask your attorney about any potential problems with your using the words "Property Rescue Pro" in your business name.

nationwidepi

Real Estate Investor
Santa Clarita, California
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1033 posts

Originally posted by Lynn Payne
We do cash purchases and assign the contracts all the time. If there is any finder's fee to be paid, it can be done on the side. If your a realtor you can get the entire commission. At least that's what's worked for me.

What Lynn has described here (getting paid on the side) is mortgage fraud. I recently had the Deputy District Attorney on my live radio show explaiing just that and they as well as the FBI are "cracking down" hard on violators of mortgage fraud.

Secondly, banks will not allow an assignment of contract on a short sale. End of story. Yes, you can buy cash in an entity, then sell the entity, and of course, you will owe taxes on the profit (speak to your accountant).

I hope this clarifies your original question on this matter as you received some good advice and some incorrect/bad advice. I also highly reccommend having a RE attorney on your team. They can guide you through the waters on this and many other subjects of re investing.

Erik C.

Real Estate Investor
Miami, Florida
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19 posts

I agree,
Dan you are knocking them dead. Good Call!!

Nick D.

Real Estate Agent
Florence, Kentucky
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7 posts

I've not yet run into a bank that will allow you to assign your ss contract. C'Wide is now starting the process over if the name of the buyer is changed during negotiations.

Robin V.

Real Estate Investor
Reading, PA
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219 posts

Hmmm..... I have wholesaled both a Foreclosure AND a Short
Sale. Minor issues with both but it was done and with out selling off in an LLC.

Robin

nationwidepi

Real Estate Investor
Santa Clarita, California
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1033 posts

Robin,
So what did you use, a land trust?
When did you accomplish this?
Would you kindly share with us how you were successfull?

Scott H.

Real Estate Investor
Tucson, Arizona
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24 posts

I, too, have completed several short sales this year using an assignable contract with a double closing using a title company.

What makes an assigned short sale successful?

1. Full disclosure
2. Credibility
3. Using a reputable title company
4. Have an attorney on your team
5 A good buyers agent.

The second most important element that will make it successful is using an AAR contract. I believe this will lend your deal more credence. Plus, it forces full disclosure.

The third most important having good team members. I use an experienced agent and have a very good RE attorney.

If the lender drags their feet, makes senseless demands, or passes on a contract, my attorney will make phone calls or send letters to their legal department.

Now, I cannot overcome every deal and I have been unable to assign contracts on many more deals, but you simply cannot say that lenders are not doing them.

What is the most important element for a successful (assigned or not) closing?

Writing a successful propsal is the most important piece for a successful closing. The lender needs to be convinced that it is likely to spend more money on the foreclosure than a short-sale. They cannot feel as though your taking advantage of them or their client. The deal must make equitable sense for all parties!!

So, if your planning to make 20% or more on an assigned contract, then you need to FORGET IT!! Lenders will invoke seasoning, non-assigned contract clauses, or whatever they can do when they see your making a lot of money!!! Keep your margins under closer to 10% and you will see more deals close.

Another thing, seasoning is not been an issue for me either. I actually closed on FHA financed purchase with an assignable contract. Again, this is where the equality will come into play.

Greed has gotten us where we are now and if you take a self-serving approach to your wholesaling, you will not be very successful.

Good Luck All!!

Woods

Real Estate Consultant
Atlanta, Georgia
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10 posts

good info

Dick G.

Residential Lender
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1208 posts

Great comments,

Banks are staying away from the squirrely deals. But, if you keep your deals clean and legal there's still a lot of money to be made.

If you want to flip short sales in my opinion....is safer and less stress to simply take a month out of you busy schedule, spend $500 bucks, pick up a real estate license and build you profit into the commission.

We're fortunate here in Texas. We're still able to perform net sales transactions, (all proceeds above seller net considered commissions), as long as you can maintain fiduciary reliability.

Also, I would avoid talking about you know what....in an open forum....lol.