How Freddie Mac Is Trying To Kill The Short Sale Business
Short Sale Fraud – Freddie Mac Drops A Huge Bomb On Real Estate Investors
Short Sale Flip Fraud – It’s not a law; nor is it an official policy, but it’s definitely going to be a problem regardless. The news from Freddie Mac on short sales could cause serious legal and practical issues for real estate investors.
Last Friday, April 16, 2010, Freddie Mac posted a new article entitled :Emerging Fraud Trends: Short Payoff Fraud.” The article described a new trend in short sale fraud that happens when a short sale buyer flips a newly acquired property to another buyer and “pockets the difference.” This could mean problems for investors who have been short sale flipping, or negotiating short sales with banks and then selling the properties at a profit.
The Freddie Mac poster went on to describe scenarios and red flags for short payoff fraud. The scenario revolved around a short sale facilitator who set up a deal with a lender to purchase a home worth 80K for 70K while the lender took a 30K loss. The facilitator does not disclose that he already has an outstanding offer for $95,000 from a second end-buyer. When the transactions close – in this case on the same day – and the facilitator pockets the difference, according to Freddie Mac he has just committed fraud because he withheld information about a higher offer and causes Freddie Mac to take a “larger than necessary” loss on the sale.
The writer encourages everyone involved in short payoffs to look out for short payoff flags. These flags include sudden borrower default, a borrower who is current on other obligations and the buyer of the property being an entity rather than a person. The article also tells readers to keep an eye out for resale options in their purchase agreement.
Buyers, sellers and lenders all are encouraged to report short sale fraud the second they become aware of or suspect a second purchase contract for a higher price. It may not be considered breaking the law, but it certainly looks like Freddie Mac wants to make short sales as difficult as possible for real estate investors.

