Owner Financing? Should You Sell Without a Down Payment

I have been asked many questions with regard toIf you intend on selling this mortgage note down
selling a home with Owner Financing.the road, you want the buyer to have some
One typical question I am asked often..."I amequity in the home from the start. The more
selling my home and offering Owner Financing, butequity your buyer has, a contract buyer is more
having trouble finding a good candidate with alikely to purchase the note.
good down payment. Should I take a chance andExample:
allow a buyer to put no money down?"A home is selling for $100,000 and the potential
I tell my potential clients that it is never a goodbuyer can put down $20,000. This buyer is
idea to sell a home without a down paymentalready starting with a 20% equity position. A
from the buyer. You want the buyer to investcontract buyer likes to see that.
some of their own money into the home. If theyYou might suggest that a potential buyer secure
have their own money involved, they are morea personal loan for the down payment. Can they
likely to take care of the home, keep up withreceive a loan from a relative? Do they have a
maintenance and pay the bills associated withcredit union or can they borrow against their 401
home ownership.You want the potential buyer to? In some cases, you can receive a hardship
show some commitment to the home.withdrawal from a 401 for the down payment
How many times have you come across a rentaltowards home purchase and not have to repay
property only to see it run down? That renterthe sum withdrawn.
had no equity in the home. They would not beThey then give you the money for the down
loosing any of their own money, therefore; mightpayment. This option gives you the cash down
not care about the property or it's condition. Whatpayment, the buyer has the commitment to the
are they loosing? They can walk away and findhome and a contract buyer will see equity.
another place to live, leaving you with theBefore making any final decisions, please make
responsibility of upkeep and making any repairssure you have a good real estate lawyer to help
needed.you. Protect yourself.