Protect Your Real Estate Investment
I am often asked by clients whether it makes sense to transfer a real estate investment property to a limited liability company. This is called a quitclaim deed to LLC. This question comes up for investors who own only a few residential investment properties. There is no question that this is probably a very good asset-protection strategy. By operating the rental property through an LLC, if you do it properly, you can protect your other assets from claims of third parties relating to the specific property.
Similarly, if you own more than one property, keeping each in a separate LLC will shield the others from being accessible to creditors who have a claim against the first property.
Keep in mind that you must observe the formalities of running each LLC like a business and not co-mingle income, expenses, or assets with personal ones or those of other LLCs. You should also speak with your tax professional about how to structure the LLCs for income tax purposes. Be aware that an LLC will not be protected from any personal claims against you since it is your asset.
How to Quitclaim Deed to LLC
A quitclaim deed to LLC is actually a very simple process. You will need a deed form and a copy of the existing deed to make sure you identify titles properly and get the legal description of the property. Legal descriptions are written in odd language that either describes where the original description was recorded with the county recorders office or language, called metes and bounds, that reads like a map with references to points, compass directions, and distances. A cover sheet may be necessary. You can do this yourself, but most attorneys will only charge $75 to $150 plus small recording fees to do this for you. A title company may also be willing to help you.
I would recommend language in the deed that in some way reflects that the transfer is subject to the underlying mortgage.
Will the Quitclaim Deed Violate My Mortgage?
This is another question that comes up frequently and, I think, is often misunderstood. The reason for the confusion is that most if not all mortgages contain a “due on sale” or “due on transfer” clause. This clause basically says that if the real property is sold or transferred, the mortgage becomes accelerated and the entire amount is due. This is also known as an “acceleration” clause.
When you took out the mortgage to buy the property, the bank made its decision to loan you the money based upon your income, credit, and the value of the real property. Seemingly, the transfer of the title to an LLC would trigger the acceleration clause.
Due-on-sale and due-on-transfer clauses are regulated by the federal Garn-St. Germain Depository Institutions Act of 1982. 12 U.S.C. § 1701j-3(b)(1). That law provides exemptions from enforcement of acceleration clauses, including transfers on death and transfers to trusts.
Keep in mind that the mortgage with an acceleration clause does not prohibit the transfer but merely gives the lender an option to accelerate. There is no duty to report such a sale, but you probably should. Whether you should or not is something to decide with advice of counsel. I would recommend that you request approval from your lender and expect that most if not all will agree as their collateral is really not being undermined since you are still on the mortgage personally, not the LLC. In legal speak, the LLC has not “assumed” the debt.
A lender might accelerate the mortgage because of title transfer when the transfer presents additional risk to the lender. The lender is concerned about ensuring that payments on the note are made and that their ability to foreclose in the case of default is protected.
Do be wary of using “trusts” to avoid triggering the acceleration clause. Several people on the internet recommend such a ploy. I won't go into it other than to suggest you do not do this without the advice of counsel.
Transferring Real Estate Ownership
These days, transfers of real property into LLCs is quite common. While technically a violation of a due on sale/transfer clause, the reality is that if the lender continues to be paid, even if through the LLC, it is unlikely that there will be any consequences. The prudent course is to notify your lender and get their written approval before you make the transfer.
If you have questions about how to do this, contact us. We're happy to provide counsel in the process of quitclaim deed to LLC.
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