When did I sell my house? When corporate relocation plan bought it from me or when it actually sold?

[Spouse1234]

My job forced me to relocate 1,000 miles away and paid all the costs. I made about $32,000 on my only home and lived in it for about 2 years. The "about" is the issue. Is the day I sold it the day the relocation plan gave me cash for the house (because a sale to the buyer seemed imminent)? Or is it two months later when they closed with the buyer, who had delays getting the loan? During those two months, I was not living there, but I paid the utilities and mortgage because they couldn't change the name, but the relocation plan reimbursed me later. The reason I ask is it affects whether I owned the house for 2 years, and if not, then I don't think TurboTax handles the exception on capital gains if you had to move for your job.

The relocation plan issued me a 1099-S and it does list the earlier date as the closing date.

[bwa]

If the relocation company acquired title, it was when the plan bought it from you.

[Spouse1234]

What does it mean that the relocation company acquired title? The relocation company did not take the house from me until I had a buyer who was approved for the loan. Then I had to sign all these forms with a notary. I believe I appointed their third party company as a special agent and assignment of the proceeds, and special power of attorney to interact with the actual buyer. They also had me sign a warranty deed and bill of sale that wasn't filled out yet. If you look at public property tax records, it only shows the sale to the actual buyer. So not sure they took. So I do not think I actually transferred title to them, though the real estate contract was between the buyer and the relocation company.

[bwa]

The real estate took title if you closed with them and provided them with a deed.  If you didn't, they just gave you an advance, and it was sold when it was transferred to the final borrower.

[Spouse1234]

Before I even put the house on the market, I had to sign the Warranty Deed, but not date it. After we got an offer from the buyer, we signed a document agreeing to sell to the relocation company, and then the relocation company signed the offer with the buyer. That agreement said the following about the title. Based on below, I think it was the latter. According to the benefit book, they say they do it this way so the real estate commission, which they pay, is not taxable:

TRANSFER AND CONVEYANCE OF TITLE: The Sellers agree that upon the execution of this Agreement and upon request of <relocation company> the Sellers will convey to <relocation company> or its nominee or by deed in blank (with <relocation company> having the authority to complete the deed and other documents when the legal title to the Property is ultimately conveyed) a good and marketable title by a deed with general warranties of title on a form approved by <relocation company>.

Sellers understand that <relocation company> is taking a deed and other related title documents in blank. It is the intent of the parties that the deed not be recorded on the Transfer Date. <relocation company> shall market the Property and when the Property is sold, the deed and other title related documents shall be completed with the required information to transfer the legal title to the ultimate purchaser.