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.
Conventional lenders won't accept gifted equity as a downpayment. Heck, almost no commercial lenders will allow it either. The concept of collateral is really lost at that point.
Non-Family Members – In some cases, individuals with a close personal relationship may also be able to gift equity. This can include close friends or individuals with a significant personal connection.
Gift tax: A gift of equity could trigger the gift tax, so the seller should follow Internal Revenue Service gift guidelines. For 2024, a married couple can give up to $36,000, and a single person up to $18,000 to an individual per year without being subject to the gift tax.