Fannie Mae allows gifts if the buyer and seller are related by blood, marriage, or legal guardianship. Freddie Mac says a gift of equity is an eligible source of funds provided the funds are from a related person. For down payments over 20%, at least 5% must come from the borrower's funds.
It is possible, but you should discuss the implications of gifting property to children with a legal advisor first. You will lose control of what happens to the property. You may have to leave the property if your children become bankrupt, die, divorce or sell the property.
Fannie Mae allows gifts if the buyer and seller are related by blood, marriage, or legal guardianship. Freddie Mac says a gift of equity is an eligible source of funds provided the funds are from a related person. For down payments over 20%, at least 5% must come from the borrower's funds.
Documentation Requirements Gifts must be evidenced by a letter signed by the donor, called a gift letter. When the gift is sourced by a trust established by an acceptable donor or an estate of an acceptable donor, the gift letter must be signed by the donor and list the name of the trust or the estate account.
When used for the down payment or closing costs: if the value of the asset is at least 20% more than the amount of funds needed for the down payment and closing costs, no documentation of the borrower's actual receipt of funds realized from the sale or liquidation is required.
For example, if you own a home worth $300,000 and sell it to a family member for $200,000, they've received a gift of equity of $100,000. A gift of equity can occur if a home is given away for no compensation or if a discount is offered on its value.
Gifted equity requirements The letter should be signed by the buyer and the seller. Funds must also be properly documented through financial records. So, be prepared to provide copies of your recent bank statements, your donor's recent bank statements, and copies of cashier's checks.
The seller must obtain an official home appraisal to ascertain fair market value and also sign a gift letter that describes the buyer-seller relationship and states that the equity is a gift the buyer is not obligated to repay. The buyer must follow the typical process for buying a home.
Gifts of equity, like other gifts, aren't taxable to the recipient. The seller might have to file a gift return. They're allowed to give $15,000 per person each year without having to file a gift return. So, if the gift of equity they gave you is less than $30,000, they don't have to file the return.