Last year, I heard that question from would-be Buyers maybe 3 times.
This year, I’ve logged that question three times . . . just this week!
And that, with mortgage rates plumbing all-time lows: just above 4.5% to those with impeccable credit.
Which, of course, is the catch.
Few Sellers Biting (So Far)
Buyers float seller financing, like a contract for deed, precisely because they can’t qualify for a mortgage.
Their credit scores may be too low (or non-existent); they may have filed for bankruptcy recently; or they may not have any money for a downpayment.
Unfortunately, all those yellow flags are problems for home sellers, too — especially the one about limited funds for a down payment.
That’s because the risk to the Seller who accepts a Contract for Deed is that the Buyer doesn’t perform, and the Seller gets back a property that’s much the worse for wear.
On top of that, most Sellers are selling because they need the cash, in one lump sum — not in monthly payments stretched out over years.
Wow! what a joke?