How to Efficiently Transfer Real Estate Assets

Whether you’re looking to pass your real estate assets off to the next generation of ownership in a living trust, or you want to unload your responsibilities and let someone else manage your properties, there are several ways to efficiently transfer your assets between owners. With the right information, you can be certain your assets remain in compliance with regulations and meet tax needs so no penalties are incurred. 

Quitclaim Deed

For parents or family members who wish to transfer ownership of their property to an heir or another relative, a quitclaim deed is a simple solution. There are no title searches required for a quitclaim deed, so it’s generally suggested that such transfers only occur among those who are familiar with and trust one another. Accepting a quitclaim deed from someone you don’t know well can result in an oversight such as outstanding liens on the property. 

You may need an attorney to complete all of the necessary paperwork for a quitclaim deed, but as far as real estate transfers go, a quitclaim deed is a relatively simple and inexpensive process. This is the perfect option for those who want a quick transfer of ownership without all of the paperwork and costs associated with other types of transfers. 

Whoever transfers the property will be the one responsible for any taxes, as the IRS will see such a transfer as a gift. A 709 Tax Form will be required for the transfer, and you should consult with an attorney to be sure you’re meeting all of your tax requirements any time you make a transfer. 

Qualified Personal Residence Trust 

A QPRT can help you transfer real estate assets while reducing the amount of tax you will have to pay for a gift. When you create your QPRT, you are transferring the residence to a trust, but allowing yourself a certain period of time to remain living in the home. This “right to live” is assigned a monetary value, which you can then deduct from the value of the property to calculate the gift tax. 

If your property gains any value during the time its held in the trust, that value is transferred to the new owner without any further taxation once it is time for the transfer of ownership. This technical process can make transferring real estate less tax-expensive, and still allow you to live in the home while it’s held in the trust. 

Warranty Deeds

In order to exchange real estate with another person for a specified payment, you’ll want a warranty deed, which is sometimes referred to as a grant deed. This option helps protect the buyer and holds the seller liable for any misinformation or otherwise impactful issues that may arise with the title, before and sometimes even after the sale is completed. 

This is the best way to transfer real estate between buyers and sellers who don’t personally know each other. You’ll want to have some level of protection in place any time you purchase from an unfamiliar party, as there are people out there who are running scams that can seriously harm your financial future. 

You can also use a warranty deed to transfer ownership of property as a gift, but this isn’t the typical use of such a transfer. Before filing a warranty deed, you’ll need to clear all of the taxes from the property in question, and extra taxes are usually applied to the transfer process. 

Once you’ve transferred the property, the new owner then becomes responsible for the property taxes. You can’t file for a warranty deed if you still owe tax on your property, so be sure to keep up with property taxes to avoid expensive penalties down the road. 

Gift With Lease 

Another option for transferring real estate assets is a gift with a leaseback. Your property can be transferred to the new generation or owners via a trust or other legal entity owned by the children. You’ll pay rent on the property while it’s in the trust, which can then be used for things like repairs and taxes. This is an effective way to transfer property while still retaining some of the cost of its maintenance if your heir(s) can’t quite afford the costs. 

Communication and Expectations 

One of the most important steps of transferring real estate assets is communicating with the grantee. Whoever you’re granting property to will need to know all of the details about the property and the transfer process. They’ll want to know how the property is being transferred, the costs associated with the process, and the maintenance/tax costs they will incur over time. 

Any time you’re transferring assets, good communication is a must. Be sure of the expectations of the grantee and set your own, and keep an open line of communication between yourself, the grantee, and the attorney involved in the transfer. 

Conclusion 

Be sure to check your state’s regulations and hire an attorney any time you’re unsure of what steps to take, or if you’re having trouble filing the paperwork. It’s always better to pay a knowledgeable person to do it right the first time than to learn by trial and error.