Seller Financing Can Be Beneficial If You Avoid Making Mistakes
Owner financing is an alternative method of seller your home, where you the homeowner enters into a mortgage contract with a buyer who wants to purchase your home. Owner financing usually yields full market price for the home and a good rate of return. Here are 6 ways to insure that your risk is minimized.
1. Collect a large cash down payment of at least 10%.
2. Seek additional security. If the buyer has part of the down payment and you feel comfortable that the buyer can pay the payments, as for additional security such as a car title that can be released after a short period of time, for example 2 or 3 years, if payments are made as agreed.
3. Obtain a credit report. Ask your buyer to provide you a copy of their credit report. They can get one online, sometimes for free. If there are some negative things on their credit report, it may be okay just be sure that to issue has been resolved and they have recovered financially from what caused the problem.
4. Trust your instincts. It has been proven time and time again that your first impression is usually the correct one. If you have a funny feeling about the situation, it may be best to walk away and find another buyer.
5. Look at the big picture. The buyer has found a lender that is willing to give them a mortgage for 90% of the homes value. They have agreed to allow the buyer to put 5% down if you hold a 5% second mortgage on the house. The big picture is you’ll receive 95% of the purchase price up front and the remainder in payments over say 5 years. Worst case scenario, you never get paid and foreclose on a home you were paid 95% on already.
6. Talk to an attorney. Determine what the foreclosure period is in your state. Each state sets different periods for foreclosure through the courts. Knowing these things can help you sell in the safest way.
Providing seller financing allows you to get the most money possible for your home. Be smart about it and this can be a winning transaction for you and the buyer.
Hubert Miles is the founder of Waterfront Houses USA, an online marketing service that provides Waterfront Homes and Waterfront Homes For Sale in the US and Canada.
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