Private Lending & Conventional Mortgage Advice
Market News & Data
General Info
Real Estate Strategies
Landlording & Rental Properties
Real Estate Professionals
Financial, Tax, & Legal
Real Estate Classifieds
Reviews & Feedback
Updated about 4 years ago,
How To Strip The Most Equity - My Dilemma
Here is the scenario. I have a home that I’ve owned for 6 years. It’s worth about $380k and I owe about $240k. I want to strip out as much equity as possible. Today a wild idea occurred to me and I want to consult the community. But first the traditional options and why I don’t like them.
1. Refinance - This would require 80% LTV and only allow me to strip about $64,000. Also requires closing costs.
2. HELOC - same as above with a higher interest rate and an additional monthly payment on the borrow. Also requires closing costs.
Now for my wild idea...
3. Sell to myself - If I buy the house from myself using an FHA loan @3.5% down I'll pay about $13k plus closing costs. I'll get the tax exemption having lived in it for 2 of the past 5 years along with a new basis of $380k. Most importantly, I'll clear about $140k on the sell side with $13k plus closing going back in for a net of $127k. I realize I'll pay PMI and my monthly cost will go up..but putting an extra $63k in my pocket in the middle of a pandemic seems like the move.
Has anyone ever done this?? Is it even legal??