Every kind of loan includes its own fine print for this matter. But how do you take this cash and use it specifically to cover your down payment or mortgage payments? Because the paperwork for your loan is entered into the record, a gift letter is then a legally binding document that when signed with the intent of the money as a loan, the buyer is lying. Second, they want to make sure the gift is really a gift and not a loan-in-disguise. SmartAsset Advisors, LLC ("SmartAsset"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Financial Insight Technology, is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as an investment adviser. ", Internal Revenue Service. For example, if you earn $4,000 a month from your salary, your lender will want you to explain any gifts you receive that are more than $2,000. If you have a lot of other risk factors, that would probably be put into the equation as an aspect of the risk. Signatures do not need to be notarized. not laundered). Introducing the all-new LendingTree Win Card. Because the paperwork for your loan is entered into the record, a gift letter is then a legally binding document that when signed with the intent of the money as a loan, the buyer is lying. Subscribe to our newsletter for expert estate planning tips, trends and industry news. The look-back period to establish whether money is or is not yours is only two or three months, which means you can avoid both the gift letter and documentation altogether if you deposit the funds into your own account at least that long before you apply for a mortgage. How to Complete a Gift Letter for a Mortgage | LendingTree A lender may require a receipt of a gift letter if there are abnormally large deposits into your bank account leading up to the purchase of real estate or an indication of third-party funds helping fund the purchase. Lenders need to know that you have the means to pay back your loan. WE ARE AWARE OF THE FOLLOWING: The only difference is that normal FHA guidelines say you cant use gift funds from cousins, nieces or nephews.