The Pros and Cons of Owner Financing
February 11, 2021
Both sellers and buyers need to understand the risks
A mortgage might be the the most common way to finance a home, but not every homebuyer can meet the strict lending requirements. One option is owner financing, where the seller finances the purchase for the buyer. Here are the pros and cons of owner financing for both buyers and sellers.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Owner financing can be a good option for buyers who don’t qualify for a traditional mortgage.
- For sellers, owner financing provides a faster way to close because buyers can skip the lengthy mortgage process.
- Another perk for sellers is that they may be able to sell the home as-is, which allows them to pocket more money from the sale.
What Is Owner Financing?
A home is typically the largest single investment a person ever makes. Because of the hefty price tag, there’s usually some type of financing involved, such as a mortgage. One alternative is owner financing, which happens when a buyer finances the purchase directly through the seller, instead of going through a conventional mortgage lender or bank.
How Does Owner Financing Work?
With owner financing (aka seller financing), the seller doesn’t hand over any money to the buyer as a mortgage lender would. Instead, the seller extends enough credit to the buyer to cover the purchase price of the home, less any down payment. Then, the buyer makes regular payments until the amount is paid in full.
- Interest rate
- Repayment schedule
- Consequences of default
Important: Even the most sophisticated sellers are unlikely to subject borrowers to the stringent loan approval procedures that traditional lenders use. Still, this doesn’t mean they won’t run a credit check. Potential buyers can be turned down if they are a credit risk.
Most owner-financing deals are short term. A typical arrangement is to amortize the loan over 30 years (which keeps the monthly payments low), with a final balloon payment due after only five or ten years. The idea is that after five or ten years, the buyer will have enough equity in the home or enough time to improve their financial situation to qualify for a mortgage.
Owner financing can be a good option for both buyers and sellers, but there are risks. Here’s a look at the pros and cons of owner financing, whether you’re a buyer or a seller.
Tip: It’s a good idea to consult with a qualified real estate attorney who can answer any owner-financing questions and write the sales contract and promissory note.
Pros and Cons of Owner Financing for Buyers
For buyers, owner financing has a number of advantages and disadvantages that should be considered before entering this type of arrangement:
Pros for Buyers
- Faster closing: No waiting for the bank loan officer, underwriter, and legal department to process and approve the application.
- Cheaper closing: No bank fees or appraisal costs.
- Flexible down payment: No bank or government-required minimums.
- Alternative for buyers who can’t get financing: A good option for buyers who are not able to secure a mortgage.
Cons for Buyers
- Higher interest: The interest you pay will likely be higher than you would pay to a bank.
- Need seller approval: Even if a seller is game for owner financing, they might not want to be your lender.
- Due-on-sale clause: If the seller has a mortgage on the property, their bank or lender can demand immediate payment of the debt in full if the house is sold (to you). That’s because most mortgages have due-on-sale clauses and if the lender isn’t paid, the bank can foreclose. To avoid this risk, make sure the seller owns the house free and clear or that the seller’s lender agrees to owner financing.
- Balloon payments: With many owner-financing arrangements, a large balloon payment becomes due after five or 10 years. If you can’t secure financing by then, you could lose all the money you’ve paid so far, plus the house.
Pros and Cons of Owner Financing for Sellers
Of course, there are pros and cons for the sellers in owner-financing deals, as well:
Pros for Sellers
- Can sell “as is”: Potential to sell without making costly repairs that traditional lenders might require.
- A good investment: Potential to earn better rates on the money you raised from selling your home than you would from investing the money elsewhere.
- Lump-sum option: The promissory note can be sold to an investor, providing a lump-sum payment right away.
- Retain title: If the buyer defaults, you keep the down payment, any money that was paid—and the house.
- Sell faster: Potential to sell and close faster since buyers avoid the mortgage process.
Important: The Dodd-Frank Act owner-financing restrictions don’t apply to rentals, vacant land, commercial properties, and non-consumer buyers, including limited liability companies, corporations, trusts, and limited partnerships.
Cons for Sellers
- Dodd-Frank Act: Under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, new rules were applied to owner financing. Balloon payments may not be an option, and you might need to involve a mortgage loan originator depending on the number of properties the seller owner-finances each year.1
- Default: The buyer could stop making payments at any time. If this happens and they don’t just walk away, you could end up going through the foreclosure process.
- Repair cost: If you do take back the property for whatever reason, you might end up having to pay for repairs and maintenance, depending on how well the buyer took care of the property.
Finding Owner-Financed Homes
If you can’t qualify for a mortgage, you might be wondering where you can find owner-financed homes. Here are some options:
- Real estate listing websites. Most real estate aggregator websites let you filter by keyword (e.g. “owner financing”). You can also do an internet search for “owner-financed homes near me” to find local businesses that connect buyers and sellers.
- Real estate agents. Agents and brokers in your area might know about unpublicized deals in your area. Or, they might know a motivated seller who would be willing to offer owner financing.
- Search FSBO listings. Find for sale by owner listings in your area. If a property interests you, reach out to the seller and ask if owner financing is an option.
- Search rental listings. Likewise, if you see a home you like that’s for rent, ask the owner if they’re interested in selling with financing. You might get lucky and find someone who is tired of being a landlord but still looking for monthly income.
The Bottom Line
While it’s not common, seller financing can be a good option for buyers and sellers under the right circumstances. Still, there are risks for both parties that should be weighed before signing any contracts.
If you’re considering owner financing, it’s generally in your best interest to work with a real estate attorney who can represent you during negotiations and review the contract to make sure your rights are protected.
Source: Investopedia Click here for article