
Every year, over 5 million people buy homes. Most people purchase houses by getting home loans, but others use owner financing.
You might be wondering, “what is owner financing?” Owner financing is an alternative way to buy a house, and it works well for people who aren’t eligible for home loans.
If you want to buy a house but don’t have good credit, you might want to pursue this option. Here is an explanation of what this is, how it works, and the benefits it offers.
What Is Owner Financing? It’s When the Seller Finances the House
So, what is owner financing? The best way to understand it is by knowing how it works. When you buy a house through owner financing, the house owner finances the loan to you.
The owner is the seller, and this person agrees to keep the mortgage on the house. The owner, therefore, acts like a bank. They hold the mortgage, and they require payments from the buyer.
The buyer must make the payments to the seller, just like they would if they purchased the home through a bank loan. If the buyer fails to pay the monthly payments to the seller, the seller can foreclose.
It’s also important to know that the buyer takes possession of the home as soon as they create the agreement and sign the contract. The buyer lives in the home and uses it the same as they would if they had a loan.
It Requires a Contract
When buying a house through owner financing, the seller and buyer create a contract. This contract states the responsibilities of both parties. It also includes the interest rate and repayment schedule.
The deal will likely require a non-refundable down payment from the buyer. The seller determines the amount of this down payment, and the buyer must pay it before moving into the house.
The buyer also agrees to pay a specific mortgage payment each month. The monthly amount is based on the home’s selling price and the interest rate.
The contract might also require the buyer to pay the property taxes and home insurance. Buyers are also typically responsible for all the repairs and maintenance the home needs.
Finally, the contract will state the length of the agreement, which might be five or ten years. At this point, the buyer must get a traditional mortgage from a bank to pay the seller the remaining balance owed.
The Benefits for Buyers
Now that you understand what owner financing is, you might wonder about the benefits it offers buyers. Here are some of the top ones:
It Provides a Way for Anyone to Buy a Home
The primary benefit of buying a house through owner financing is that anyone can do it. While you’ll need some money to put down, you won’t need excellent credit.
This method of purchasing a home provides a way for anyone to buy a house. If you can’t get a traditional loan to purchase a home, you can probably buy one through owner financing.
It Eliminates the Challenges of Going Through a Bank
The second benefit is that it eliminates the challenges of going through a bank for a loan. If you have poor credit or no credit, you can attempt to get a loan from a bank.
Unfortunately, though, you might face many hurdles during the process. If you want to avoid these hurdles, you can use this method.
It Provides a Fast Way to Become a Homeowner
Additionally, buying a house like this provides a fast way to become a homeowner. You won’t have to wait for the appraisal and title work. You won’t have to wait for the bank, either.
When you find a home that offers owner financing, you can close on it and move in quickly. It might take two or three weeks, but this is much less time than what’s needed when going through a bank for a loan.
The Benefits for Sellers
It’s also vital to understand the benefits it offers sellers. Why would people want to sell a house this way? Here are the benefits that sellers encounter from these deals:
It Provides an Alternative Way to Sell a House
There are times when homeowners need to sell their houses but can’t find a buyer. If you have a house that won’t sell, you can try selling it this way. You’ll probably find a buyer quickly if you do.
As a result, you’ll have a way to pay the mortgage payments on the house, and you’ll have someone living there caring for it. Selling it through owner financing can solve a lot of problems that result from owning two homes.
The Seller Receives an Upfront Payment
Next, sellers receive a lump-sum payment when they sell through owner financing. You can ask for $5,000, $10,000, or another amount, and you get to keep this money.
The Seller Can Take the House Back
The best part for a seller is that they can take the house back if the buyer defaults. The seller gets to keep the down payment and all the money received through the monthly payments.
The seller can evict the buyer if this happens, and the seller can sell the house once again. In other words, the owner of the house can’t lose with this deal.
Ways to Find Homes That Offer Owner Financing
If you are interested in buying a home through this method, you’ll need to begin looking for options in your area. A great place to start is with a real estate agent.
Local agents might have some leads on owner-financed properties for sale. Real estate agents can also ask around to see if other agents know of any properties.
Another option is to look online. If you look up owner financing in your area, you might find some listings. You can ask your friends and relatives, too.
Become a Homeowner Through Owner Financing
Do you have more questions related to, “what is owner financing?” If so, talk to your real estate agent or lender, and start looking for homes for sale that offer seller financing.
If you enjoyed learning about owner financing, you might enjoy other finance-related articles on our blog!