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business newsThe Unintended Consequences of Treasury's HAFA Program
HAFA is just flawed legislation aimed at pacifying outrage rather than offering real solutions to the housing market.
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On April 5, HAFA became a law, representing the Federal government’s latest assault against the depressed residential housing market. HAFA aims to provide options for homeowners unable to qualify for loan modifications through the Home Affordable Modification Program, or "HAMP," which was the last government-backed foreclosure prevention initiative.
Indeed, the foreclosure epidemic in this country remains a pressing issue, as recent data indicate that more than 5 million households are behind on their mortgage payments, with almost 3 million households 90 days or more delinquent but not yet in foreclosure.
HAFA attempts to step in where permanent modification via HAMP isn't a viable option, offering incentives to lenders, servicers, and distressed homeowners in the hopes that foreclosures can be cut off at the pass. The primary mechanisms HAFA promotes are short sales, where the lender allows the homeowner to sell his or her home for less than the mortgage amount, and deeds-in-lieu of foreclosure, or “DILs,” where the homeowner hands the lender the keys cooperatively in exchange for the lender agreeing not to pursue back payments. These alternatives are believed to be less damaging to a homeowner’s credit.
While some homeowners will be assisted by HAFA, each group affected by the legislation could see unintended consequences that mitigate the program’s good intentions.
1. Distressed Homeowners
HAFA’s primary goal is to help distressed homeowners. Noble enough, but will the program be effective? First, to incentivize homeowners to cooperate in short sales, Uncle Sam (read: taxpayers) is offering a $1,500 payment for “relocation assistance.” This payment is on top of cash assistance lenders often provide short selling homeowners.
From my experience, however, the decision to short sell isn't typically one that's easily swayed by $1,500. If the government wants to help homeowners start over, every little bit helps. But if the aim is to encourage more short sales, this amount of money is but a drop in the bucket and successes will be few and far between.
Second, and almost more important, it’s not even clear short selling truly benefits the homeowner in all cases. Even though the IRS revised rules that previously treated the forgiven loan as taxable income, many states are behind the ball. For example, in California, if a homeowner short sells his home for $400,000 with a $500,000 mortgage outstanding, at year end he could face $100,000 in additional taxable income. A proposed amendment to this law is in limbo because Governor Schwarzenegger has threatened to veto due to an unrelated provision in the bill. For those seeking to enter a short sale, tread lightly and seek tax counseling before agreeing to anything.
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