Six Ways To Protect Yourself When Offering Seller Financing | Mortgage

Six Ways To Protect Yourself When Offering Seller Financing

by HubertMiles

Having trouble selling? Have you considered owner financing the deal? Owner financing tends to yield a higher selling price and excellent return on your money. But there are some risks involved. Here are 6 tips to help you minimize your risk.

1. Ask for a cash down payment of at least 10% on the purchase of the home.

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. Check their credit. There are many options for obtaining a credit report. Have the buyer obtain a credit report with a credit score and bring it with them when applying for the loan. Bed credit is okay, as long as the issues have been resolved and they have recovered financially.

4. Trust yourself. If something doesn't feel right about the transaction, it likely isn't right. You are entering into a long term relationship that shouldn't be taken likely. You need to be 100% comfortable with the deal before you move forward.

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.

DISCLAIMER: This article is provided as information only and is not to be taken as financial advice.

Hubert Miles is the founder of Waterfront Houses USA, an internet advertising service that offers River Land and Coast Real Estate in the US and Canada.