Can I Sell My House While in Chapter 13 Bankruptcy In California?
Homeowners undergoing Chapter 13 bankruptcy get an opportunity to sort out their finances and clear debts over three to five years. While this legal process aims to shield debtors, it can complicate home sales.
Chapter 13 bankruptcy doesn’t block homeowners from selling their houses. Yet, the sale needs approval from the Bankruptcy court and creditors. The sale funds are then distributed to creditors by the bankruptcy trustee. Essentially, the homeowner won’t make a profit, but debts will be settled, and bankruptcy resolved.
Navigating a home sale while in Chapter 13 bankruptcy can be immensely tricky. If you need further guidance, this blog has you covered!
What is Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?
As per the United States Courts, Chapter 13 bankruptcy, also known as the “wage earner’s plan,” enables homeowners with steady income to develop a repayment plan for their mortgage lenders over three to five years.
A key benefit of opting for Chapter 13 bankruptcy is the ability to halt foreclosure proceedings on a property. Essentially, creditors are barred from pursuing or resuming collection efforts against the debtor throughout this three to five-year period.
To qualify for Chapter 13 relief under the bankruptcy code, an individual must either be a wage earner or self-employed. Their secured debts must not exceed $1,395,875, and their unsecured debts should be below $465,275.
Can I Sell My House While in Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?
Yes, you can sell your house while in Chapter 13 bankruptcy. But as established, you would need the Bankruptcy court’s permission.
You can’t put up the property for sale or close a deal with a cash buyer without informing the mortgage lender and getting their approval. And if the property’s value isn’t protected from bankruptcy, you won’t receive any proceeds from the sale—all the money will go towards clearing your debts.
Since a house sale while in Chapter 13 bankruptcy is extra challenging, you would benefit from hiring a bankruptcy attorney for guidance. Many will offer a free consultation.
What Happens if I Sell My House During Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?
By now, you must have already weighed your chances of selling your house while in Chapter 13. But to fully understand what you have to go through, here’s an overview of the whole process— from approval to being discharged of your debt.
1. Notify Your Bankruptcy Attorney of Your Intent to Sell
Firstly, when you’re selling a house and you’ve filed for bankruptcy, it’s crucial to inform your bankruptcy lawyer because all your assets are being managed by a trustee.
Your bankruptcy lawyer is the expert in guiding a home sale during Chapter 13 proceedings, and they’re focused on protecting your interests.
Building a strong relationship with your lawyer is key. They’ll take care of the paperwork and make sure the necessary motions are filed for the sale to go through smoothly.
2. File a Motion to Sell with the Bankruptcy Court and Trustee
Once you have informed your bankruptcy attorney regarding your plans, they’ll help you file a motion to sell with the Bankruptcy Court and the trustee to get sale permission.
A motion to sell to get court approval usually includes the following:
- The asking price of the bankruptcy estate
- An appraisal to identify the value of the property
- How the proceeds of the house sale will be disbursed to the creditors
3. Notify Your Creditors
When the bankruptcy court gets the request to sell, they’ll tell your lender/s that you’ve chosen to list the property. This is important because of the agreement you made with your lenders. Usually, lenders have 14 days to say if they disagree.
There are two ways this can go: either the mortgage holder doesn’t disagree, so you can sell after court approval, or they do, and you have to stick to the repayment plan you agreed on.
4. File a Statement of Sale with the Bankruptcy Trustee
If your motion is approved and you have successfully closed the sale with the help of a real estate agent or real estate broker, filing a statement of sale is necessary. This statement should include the following:
- The home’s final sale price
- Deductions or payments related to closing (This isn’t necessary if you sold to a cash buyer who covered closing costs.)
- The amount that will be turned over to the trustee to pay off the mortgage
- Other remaining proceeds of the home sale
Again, you would not receive money from the house sale since all your assets are being managed by the trustee. What you’ll get from the sale will be used to pay your debts.
5. Discharge the Debt
Once the sale money goes to the bankruptcy trustee, it gets divided among your creditors.
If there’s sufficient cash to cover your mortgage or other debts like alimony or business obligations, the trustee can release you from bankruptcy. The judge then gives final approval.
If you’re not sure about the process, think about talking to a bankruptcy lawyer. You may get a free consultation if you’re fortunate.
Does a Debt Relief Agency Play a Role in Selling a House While in Chapter 13?
No. A debt relief agency or debt settlement company doesn’t play a role in selling a house while in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy case.
The main job of a debt relief firm is to talk with your loaners or those you owe money to about what you owe. They don’t directly affect selling. Yet, if they can cut your debt, you may not need to sell your place.
Keep in mind, though, that dealing with a debt relief firm is risky. They also ask for high fees.
Sell Your House While in Chapter 13 Bankruptcy to a Cash Buyer
Selling your house through a traditional real estate agent can fetch higher offers, but opting for a cash buyer can be advantageous if you seek a swift sale and lack funds for repairs or upgrades.
Bear in mind, putting your home on the market entails staging and marketing expenses, potentially exacerbating financial strain—best avoided amidst bankruptcy concerns.
Cash buyers acquire properties in their current condition, even if the owner is in Chapter 13 bankruptcy. They act swiftly and ensure a straightforward transaction. Additionally, they handle closing costs!
Final Thoughts: Can I Sell My House While in Chapter 13 Bankruptcy in California?
Selling a house during Chapter 13 bankruptcy isn’t easy, even with a bankruptcy lawyer’s help. Many approvals are needed, and the homeowner may not make any money. But the good news is that selling the home can pay off the owner’s debts.
If you want to sell your house quickly during Chapter 13 bankruptcy, reach out to us at JiT Home Buyers. Our process is straightforward, and we don’t have any fees!
Complete our form or call us at (510) 473-5885 to find out more about selling your house during Chapter 13 in California.
California Resources
We Buy Houses AS-IS In California
We are a local real estate investment company in California that buys houses in any condition. We also buy mobile homes and condos in any condition. You can sell your house fast for cash regardless of the condition.
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Author: Saini
My name is Saini, and I founded the JiT Home Buyers team with years of experience in the real estate industry. I have assisted numerous sellers in selling their homes quickly, “AS-IS”, and for a fair price.
He’s been featured in multiple publications including Yahoo Finance, GoBankingRates, LegalZoom, The Mortgage Report, Apartment Therapy, US News and World Report, and SuperMoney among others.