Don't Want to Sell on Land Contract? Take Another Look.

If you're like me, you're sick of hearing the phrase, "Think outside the box." I've been outside the box for so long now, I can't even see the dang box anymore!

I have had some success this year by utilizing some unorthodox means to get my real estate deals in Oceana County closed, however. The most prominent, by far, is not even original, just a resurgence of an old practice from the '80's. That's right, the infamous LAND CONTRACT.

I have two pending sales right now that I wouldn't have had I not been able to educate both buyer and seller as to the benefits of a land contract (or a purchase money mortgage, but that's a whole 'nother blog in and of itself).

In one of these deals, I represented the buyer, and the seller was not offering LC as one of the terms. My buyer had a three year old foreclosure, was working on repairing some credit divots, and financing wasn't looking likely. My home buyer needed a home, though, so I got flexible. I took the time to prepare a package that would excite the seller, and convince him to entertain a land contract. This is the step that I think a lot of people are missing.

The package contained a credit report, a letter of explanation regarding the failings of the credit report, income verification (including length of employment), proof of funds for the down payment, our offer, and our earnest money deposit. Working with the seller's agent, we presented the package, and the seller accepted our offer.

Now, I have had many calls from agents who will call on one of my listings and just ask, "Will the seller take a land contract?" In most cases, the answer would simply be, "No." (Unless, of course, the seller and I had already agreed to that in the original listing contract.)

I have taken to getting in the practice of asking the agent to prepare a package like I described above. I then present the whole package to the seller, and have been pleasantly surprised when a few of them changed their stance and accepted a land contract offer.

I'm not suggesting that land contracts are the answer to everything. Obviously there are issues that come into play that must be addressed, such as "due-on-sale" clauses which are in most every mortgage agreement. The seller may also need the funds to move onto their next home. So no, LC's are not for every situation.

I do firmly believe, however, that if you're not educating your buyers and sellers on the possibilities of a land contracts and purchase money mortgages, you're missing out on business, and I don't know anyone in Michigan that can afford to do that these days.