Definition of "Seller financing"

Sheila Myers real estate agent

Written by

Sheila Myerselite badge icon

Keller Williams Realty of Franklin

If buyers are considering a home with an assumable mortgage at a fair interest rate or if the sellers have already paid their mortgage, remember to consider seller financing. With seller financing, the seller determines the sale price and then acts much like a lender. He or she determines the amount of down payment and the others terms of sale. Seller financing becomes more common when interest rates are high and buying a home is out of reach for many who could otherwise not afford it. But regardless of interest rates, this option helps qualify people to buy who might not be able to qualify for a loan through a lending institution or who may have the income to afford monthly payments but not the cash for a down payment. With seller financing, borrowers whom lenders might consider marginally qualified not only may qualify to buy but also may save money because closing costs are often nonexistent or less expensive than with lender financing. Seller financing is treated as an installment sale for tax purposes, and the seller will be taxed only on the proportional amount of gain received each year. Finally, if the buyer defaults, the seller can take the property back under the contract or, if absolutely necessary, he can foreclose on the property. A seller can also offer a wraparound mortgage to a buyer who already owns a home. With this option, the seller makes a money advance to cover or 'wrap' the balance due on the old mortgage and the amount on the new loan at an interest rate below market levels.

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Real Estate Terms

Innovative architectural designs for either single or multi level homes and other buildings incorporating innovative features, such as passive solar heating. Contemporary building plans ...

The United States has a law named “eminent domain” that grants local, state, or federal government the right to take ownership of a private property with or without the consent ...

Enumeration of the consideration given by each party to a contract which in some cases must be in written form to be enforceable. For example, the statute of frauds requires that all ...

Governmentally held records of public transactions giving constructive notice that documentation exists confirming the transaction. ...

The consolidation of items that have been considered a part of property but are not actually annexed, secured, or joined to it. ...

Heat resistance measure commonly used with insulating material, outside walls, and roofs. The higher the R value, the more heat transfer resistance a material has." ...

Originally strips of wood approximately 1 to 1 1/2 inch wide, 1/4 to 3/8 inch thick by approximately 4 ft. long which were nailed across the wall studs for the purpose of supporting ...

Type of property distribution occurring when a person dies intestate. The estate id divided by the children of the deceased and by their children. For example, if a husband dies intestate, ...

Incontrovertible reality forcing a judge in a trial to find evidence to the contrary unsupportable. ...

Popular Real Estate Questions