Offset Statement

Definition of "Offset statement"

Written by

Renu S Takhar

Brookstone Realtors Llc

An offset statement defines a specific property owner’s underwritten certificate against their property. The reason behind this action is to set forth the current condition of liens against the given property. In other words, a lienholder or owner of an asset can detail the balance on their liens against the valuables which they intend to buy. 

What does a balance sheet mean? A balance sheet is financial report grouping assets and liabilities into two separate clusters. Assets define what we own, such as cash, fixed valuables, and inventories. At the same time, liabilities mean what we owe to a moneylender, for instance, debt, accrued liabilities, and payables. Ideally, the sum of your assets should equal the sum of your financial weaknesses.

What does offset mean?

Economists invented the term offset to reduce or diminish liabilities. An offset in financial terms defines an amount that minimizes or makes equal the effect of an opposite one. For instance, a widow receives a certain amount of financial aid after the loss of her spouse. We can consider this allowance as an offset against a deficit in her income.

Various future investors can opt for an offsetting position. They can sell assets in which they wish to invest to another party. Thus they can remove the necessity to receive the same asset for real. 

Likewise, corporations and business associations can prefer offsetting deficits sustained in one of their domains by reassigning profits from another one. Therefore, one business activity provides for the less profitable one. For example, a major TV company decided to invest in a brand new product, laser TVs. The same company had already launched a money-making brand in eco-friendly smart OLED TVs. Now, the company will allocate income after OLED TVs to support the new laser TVs. Sales of smart TVs will financially support the sale of laser TVs, hopefully acquiring a new market.

Mortgage lenders and the Right of Offset

A real estate loan can frequently affect your bank account, primarily if the same banking institution handles both. The Right of Offset legally enables your bank to remove funds from your savings account. They can do that in case to compensate a substantial debt, a long-overdue loan, or any other commissions. 

You, as a commercial real estate debtor, can defend these drastic steps by meeting your loan payments in time. Also, isolate your checking account from your business account and do it at two different banks! The good news is that banks rarely practice their Right to Offset.

What is a trustor’s offset statement?

Private money lenders, often referred to as trustors can invest in trust deeds. Before buying trust deeds, a due diligence investigation is required. A trustor’s offset statement brings to light errors or deficiencies the present property owner might declare against reimbursement implementing rules or enforcement. 

The investor or loan broker prepares the offset statement who sells the trust deed. Then, the property owner or debtor receives the report to examine it. If they find all details in the notice adequate, they can sign it. The note the property owner signs must contain an accurate report on the property guaranteeing the loan.

Offset statement in rental units

Typically, an offset statement means a former tenant’s official declaration. In it, they express their desire to purchase the leased property they’ve been renting. The term offset statement emerges in real estate when the occupant wishes to buy the rental unit once the lease expires. Then, said tenant issues a legitimate and formal statement and hands in the rental property’s owner, setting forth the amount of rent and terms of the rental agreement.