Seller financing is becoming more popular for vacant land buyers, and with good reason. It allows you to bypass much of the red tape and hassle of dealing with traditional lending institutions.
You also get to deal directly with the person who is selling the land, which can be a huge advantage when it comes to negotiating terms and getting exactly what you want.
If you’re thinking about buying acreage, take a closer look at seller-financed deals. The potential benefits can be more than you ever would have guessed.
Top Reasons to Buy Seller-Financed Land:
- Flexibility: When you buy owner-financed land, you have more control over the terms of your loan, including the down payment, interest rate, and length of the loan. This allows you to structure the financing in a way that works best for your financial situation.
- No credit checks: Owner financing often does not require a credit check, which can be especially beneficial for individuals who have poor credit or who have difficulty qualifying for a traditional loan from a bank or other lending institution.
- Avoid high closing costs: Traditional land loans from banks and other lending institutions often come with high closing costs, including appraisal fees, title search fees, and other miscellaneous expenses. Owner financing typically has lower closing costs, which can save you money upfront and make the purchasing process more affordable.
Here are some common terms associated with owner financing:
- Down payment: The initial payment made by the buyer to the seller at the time of purchase.
- Interest rate: The rate of interest charged on the loan amount by the seller.
- Loan term: The length of time for which the loan is extended, usually measured in years.
- Balloon payment: A large payment due at the end of the loan term, often used to pay off the remaining balance of the loan.
- Amortization: The process of paying off a loan through regular payments over a specified period of time.
- Principal: The amount of money borrowed, excluding interest.
- Escrow account: An account in which funds are held by a neutral third party, typically used to secure the payment of taxes and insurance.
- Deed of trust: A legal document that secures the loan and gives the lender a right to sell the property if the borrower defaults on the loan.
- Promissory note: A legally binding agreement between the borrower and lender that outlines the terms of the loan, including the amount borrowed, interest rate, and repayment schedule.
- Late fees: Penalties charged to the borrower for missing a loan payment.
It's important to understand these terms and to negotiate terms that work for both the buyer and the seller in an owner-financed land transaction.
If you’re thinking about buying a piece of land, talk to us about our financing options. And the best part is there’s no pre-payment penalty!
You can always reach us at info@choicelandforyou.com or better yet give us a call at 724-888-5250 and let's talk about what you're looking for!
