How do I transfer my mortgage to a family member?

Asked by: Cayla Bahringer  |  Last update: September 23, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (4 votes)

Here's how the process might look:
  1. Contact your lender. Before doing anything else, reach out to your lender to check that your mortgage is transferable.
  2. Consider legal representation. Transferring a mortgage can be complicated. ...
  3. Begin the transfer process. ...
  4. Complete the transfer.

Is it possible to take over someone's mortgage?

An assumable mortgage allows the buyer to purchase a home by taking over the seller's mortgage loan. Some buyers prefer to purchase a home with an assumable mortgage because it may allow them to take advantage of a lower interest rate.

Does transferring a mortgage affect credit score?

The transfer and sale of mortgages between financial institutions does not affect the borrower's credit score.

Can I add someone to my mortgage without refinancing?

Adding a person to your mortgage without refinancing can only work if the mortgage is assumable. Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans tend to be assumable, but other types may not be.

Is there a penalty for switching a mortgage?

Switching mortgage lenders can introduce additional costs such as repeated appraisal fees and higher interest rates. The process of switching lenders could delay your mortgage closing timeline and you might owe the seller money for the delay.

How To Transfer Ownership Of Property From Your Parents

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Can you transfer a mortgage to a family member?

You'll typically only be able to transfer your mortgage if your mortgage is assumable, and most conventional loans aren't. Some exceptions, such as the death of a borrower, may allow for the assumption of a conventional loan. If you don't have an assumable mortgage, refinancing may be a possible option to pursue.

How to assume a mortgage from a family member?

The lender of the original mortgage must approve the mortgage assumption before the deal can be signed off on by either party. The homebuyer must apply for the assumable loan and meet the lender's requirements, such as having sufficient assets and being creditworthy.

Can you assume someone's mortgage without refinancing?

With an assumable mortgage, instead of applying for a brand-new loan, you can take over — or “assume” — an existing one. If that loan has a low interest rate, you can sit back and enjoy the perks of having a rate far below what the current market offers.

Can I add a name to my house deed?

A: In California, you can add a family member to a deed under joint ownership, and subsequently transfer your portion of the ownership into a living trust. To add a family member to the deed, you would typically use a grant deed or a quitclaim deed.

What happens to a mortgage when someone dies?

When you pass away, your mortgage doesn't suddenly disappear. Your mortgage lender still needs to be repaid and could foreclose on your home if that doesn't happen. In most cases, the responsibility of the mortgage will be passed to the beneficiary of the home if there is a will.

Is there a grace period when a mortgage is transferred?

You have a 60-day grace period after a transfer to a new servicer. That means you can't be charged a late fee if you send your on-time mortgage payment to the old servicer by mistake — and your new servicer can't report that payment as late to a credit bureau.

Can I prevent my mortgage from being sold?

As a homeowner, you typically cannot prevent your mortgage from being sold or transferred. The lender has the legal right to sell the mortgage to another entity, lender or investor, under federal law and under the terms of your loan contract (read the fine print).

Does pulling your credit for a mortgage hurt your score?

The effect of a mortgage inquiry on your credit score is small. Here's why: Your FICO® Score is typically used (credit scores rank from 300-850) with a mortgage credit inquiry estimated to lower your credit score a mere 3-5 points.

How do I transfer a loan to another person?

If your original lender allows you to transfer the loan to another person, that person will need to provide them with information. The new loan holder will have to fill out a new loan application and provide a copy of their credit score. They'll also need a copy of their driver's license and proof of insurance.

How much do you have to put down on an assumable loan?

VA loans and USDA don't require any down payment and you can get an FHA loan for as little as 3.5% down. But you'll need to make a much larger down payment — at least 15%, according to Tozer — when assuming one of these loans. The reason is, an assumable loan rarely covers the full purchase price of the house.

How to remove someone from a mortgage without refinancing?

Typically, removing a name from a mortgage could require you to pay off the loan in full or refinance it with a new loan. But, there are alternatives where you can take over the loan without paying off it off or refinancing. These could include mortgage assumption, loan modification and bankruptcy.

How much does it cost to add someone to a deed?

In terms of costs, it should be more than $100-$150 for the deed preparation. You may need also need a supporting affidavit ($100-$150) to prevent any transfer tax if applicable.

Can my parents put me on the deed to their house?

Adding Children's Names to Your Property. It is very common for parents to put their children's names on their bank accounts, deeds, and other property so that the children can assist their parents with paying bills or managing their finances. It is also quite common as a do-it-yourself estate planning technique.

Can you add someone to a title without refinancing?

Yes, you can add someone to your property title without including them on the refinanced mortgage loan.

How do I transfer a mortgage to another person?

For an official transfer, you'll need to work with your lender to initiate and complete the process. There are also unofficial transfers, where the original borrower continues paying the loan using funds from the new borrower (and neither party notifies the lender).

What are my rights if my name is on a deed but not the mortgage?

In other words, if your name is on the deed, you are tenants-by-the-entireties, and if one of you dies, the other owns the property entirely. If you are not on the mortgage for whatever reason, you are not liable for paying the mortgage loan. That said, you get your spouse's interest in the property if they die.

How hard is it to assume someone's mortgage?

To assume a mortgage, your lender has to give you the green light. That means meeting the same requirements that you'd need to meet for a typical mortgage, such as having a good enough credit score and a low debt-to-income (DTI) ratio.

How much does it cost to assume a mortgage?

You'll have to pay closing costs on a loan assumption, which are typically 2-5% of the loan amount. But some of those may be capped. And you're unlikely to need a new appraisal. So you may pay less on closing than a 'typical' home purchase — but only a bit less.

Can you assign a mortgage to a family member?

Can I transfer property with a mortgage to a family member? – Yes, but the lender must be informed, and they may require the mortgage to be paid off or refinanced. The new owner might also need to assume the mortgage.

What are the downsides of assuming a mortgage?

The Drawbacks of Mortgage Assumption

In a simple assumption, the seller remains liable for the outstanding mortgage debt. If the buyer defaults on payments, both parties' credit scores are affected. This shared risk can strain the relationship between buyer and seller and lead to financial repercussions for both.