Owner financing is sometimes referred to as “seller financing” and is a type of transaction where the seller acts as the bank or mortgage lender and finances the property to the borrower under a specific set of conditions. In most cases the seller will transfer the deed to the property to the buyer and in return receives a mortgage or note and deed of trust which places a lien on the property and obligates the buyer to make regular payments. There are both benefits and risks associated with these types of transactions and it is important that both buyer and seller seek professional help to ensure that it is handled correctly.
Typically, these notes are negotiated at a higher interest rate than banks charge and a seller can therefore receive top dollar if or when he decides to sell the mortgage to an investor. Buyers normally have no problem paying a little more interest over the life of the loan due to the numerous closing savings and other obvious benefits. In order to minimize risk, sellers will almost always require a respectable down payment. That way the buyer has something to lose if they ever think about simply walking away.
Many sellers also employ the use of a professional loan servicing company to save both time and money, and to further protect themselves in these transactions.