1980.391—Equity sharing.

The policy of RHS is to collect all or a portion of interest assistance granted on a guaranteed RH loan when any of the events described in paragraph (a) of this section occur, if any equity exists in the security.
(a) Determining the amount of shared equity. The RHS approval official will calculate shared equity when a borrower's account is settled by payment-in-full (including refinancing) of the outstanding indebtedness, the transfer of title, or when the borrower ceases to occupy the property. The calculation of shared equity when the account is in liquidation will be handled in accordance with § 1980.374(e).
(1) How to calculate. The amount of shared equity will be based on the amount of interest assistance granted on the loan, the appreciation in property value between the closing date of the loan and the date the account is satisfied or acquired by the Lender via liquidation action, the period of time the loan is outstanding, the amount of original equity the borrower has in the property, and the value of capital improvements to the property. Shared equity will be the lesser of the interest assistance granted or the amount of value appreciation available for shared equity. Value appreciation available for shared equity means the market value of the property less all debts secured by prior liens, sales expenses, any original borrower equity, principal reduction, and value added by any capital improvements.
(i) Market value. Market value of the property as of the date the loan is to be paid in full or the date the borrower ceases to occupy and will be documented by one of the following:
(A) A sales contract which reasonably represents the fair market value based on the Lender's and RHS approval official's knowledge of the property and the area.
(B) Lender's appraisal when the loan will be refinanced provided the appraisal reasonably represents the fair market value.
(C) If the items listed in either paragraph (a)(l)(i)(A) or (a)(1)(i)(B) of this section are not available, another current appraisal, if readily available, when the appraiser meets the qualifications of § 1980.334.
(D) When the account is being paid off from insurance proceeds, the most recent appraisal available if the Lender or RHS can document that it represents an accurate indication of the value at the time the dwelling was damaged or destroyed. If not, the best information available will be used to determine the market value. The RHS approval official will interview the borrower to determine the extent of improvements, if any, and the general condition of the property at the time of loss. The amount of the insurance payment is generally a good indication of value; however, tax records or comparable sales will be considered.
(E) RHS appraisal, with prior approval of the State Director.
(ii) Prior liens. Prior liens refers to the amount of liens that are prior to the Lender's liens and include, but may not be limited to, prior mortgages, and real estate taxes and assessments levied against the property.
(iii) Sale/refinancing expenses. Sale/refinancing expenses include, but are not limited to, expenses commonly associated with the sale or refinancing of real estate that are not reimbursed, such as sales commissions, advertising costs, recording fees, pro rata taxes, points based on the current interest rate, appraisal fees, transfer tax, deed preparation fee, loan origination fee, etc. In refinancing situations, only those expenses necessary to finance the amount of the current RHS debt are allowed. Shared equity may be calculated using estimated expenses if actual expenses cannot be obtained and the RHS approval official is satisfied with the estimated amount and the prorating of the expenses are accurate for this transaction.
(iv) Original borrower equity. Original equity consists of a contribution by the borrower that reduces the amount of the loan below the market value. The contribution may be in the form of cash and/or value of the lot if the home was constructed on the borrower's property.
(v) Capital improvements. Capital improvements will be considered to the extent that they do not exceed market value contribution as indicated by a sales comparison analysis. Generally, the value added by improvements will be the difference in market value at the time of sale and market value without capital improvements. Cost of the improvement will not be considered, only contribution to value. Maintenance cost and replacement of short-lived depreciable items are normal expenses associated with home ownership and are not considered capital improvements.
(2) Other considerations. (i) Overpayments of interest assistance. When RHS has overpaid interest assistance and the overpaid amounts remain uncollected at the time shared equity is calculated, the overpaid amount will be added to shared equity.
(ii) Multiple loans. When a borrower has more than one loan and elects to pay only some of the loans, shared equity will not be calculated unless the remaining loan is not subject to shared equity. Shared equity will be calculated when the account is paid in full taking into consideration all of the interest assistance granted on the account.
(b) Miscellaneous provisions—(1) Changes in terms. Shared equity will not be calculated when an account is reamortized.
(2) Junior liens. Junior liens are not considered in the shared equity calculation. In the event a junior lienholder forecloses, the RHS approval official will calculate shared equity before providing the lienholder with a pay-off figure, which is in addition to any amounts still due the Lender on the loan in the same manner as paragraph (a) of this section.
(c) Affordable housing proposals. Shared equity under an affordable housing innovation (such as limited equity or a state or county sponsored shared equity) will be calculated in accordance with this subpart unless prior written approval is obtained from RHS. Proposals that deviate from this subpart must be reviewed and approved in the National office prior to issuance of the loan note guarantee.