Zero Or Low Interest Payments Using Seller Financing

By Roy Owens

When you are planning to buy property, dealing with financial institutions can be a hassle. This is one of the reasons why some people prefer to go in for seller financing. This is useful for first time investors as well as those who have been turned away by traditional financial institutions. The interest rates are also lower and one can sell or get the property refinanced at will. There are a number of sellers who have made seller financing a kind of standardized and common process, as they take into consideration the 30 year fixed rate and give it out along with a spread on Dallas investment property.

There are some concerns and objectives that sellers have. For one, sellers want to sell off their property fast and without much trouble. They also want to pay fewer taxes on gains. It is quite possible that in a slow market, Dallas investment property may remain unsold for years which also prompt sellers to be quite concerned about selling. If the property lingers for too long, owners would have to make mortgage payments on their own or by giving it out on rent. This is where sellers may look at owner financing which is 100% or maybe partner with a buyer for use as investment property.

In the past, some sellers were of the opinion that financing is the buyer's lookout and not theirs. But the trend and the understanding on the matter is changing as sellers have started to realize that by using seller financing they can get an advantage against competition in terms of overcoming an important hurdle in selling, namely financing for this fairly large buy. First time home owners or even seasoned investors can purchase a home with hardly any down payment and sellers can often contribute as much as 6% of the price towards closing costs.

Seller financing presents very little, if any, problems. The seller doesn't have to pass the rigors of a lending institution, nor does the buyer. Sellers will typically finance 50 to 60 percent - or more - of the selling price, with an interest rate below current bank rates and with a far longer amortization. The terms will usually have scheduled payments similar to conventional loans. Sellers must know when they list their property for sale that the master association for their property must also qualify in order for a buyer to be able to get a loan. The Rules and Regulations, By-Laws, budgets, insurance policies, everything, are subject to review by lending underwriters, so be aware of conditions while exploring investment property.

In seller financing, the property is vested in the name of the seller till such time as the buyer makes good the payments and has the grant bargain, sale deed or such device transferred into his/her name. In other words, in some cases of seller financing, the buyer assumes the seller's mortgage while the loan is assumed by the buyer. Most sellers would like to pay as little taxes on their capital gains and set up the interest on a balloon payment. They would not like to wait for 30 years or more to set a return on their Dallas investment property. This is one of the reasons why sellers are often interested in installment sales rather than a cash sale which is more traditional. - 23229

About the Author:

Roy Owens is an investor who uses Dallas rental property to make a living. He also helps individuals with property investment.