Seller Financing and Real Estate Agents

[Demetrio Ramirez]

Good day all! I have question regarding seller financing. Do real estate agents representing sellers for on-market deals entertain seller financing options from buyers? Is it appropriate to ask the question to the agents or is it necessary to try and find the sellers to present a seller financing option directly? Thanks for any info, answers, and opinions anyone can pass my way!

[Joe Funari]

@Demetrio Ramirez I can only speak for the Texas market where I work. But sure it is consistent in most states. But If I am wrong will a CA based Realtor chime in. When I am listing a property for a client and I have them sign the listing agreement. The financing section has all the financing options the seller will accept (i.e. cash,FHA, VA, and seller financing). I review each of the options for the seller. 99% of the time the sellers want the equity at the sale of the property. So they don't go for the seller financing option. If seller financing is a option the sellers are willing to entertain then when I list in in the MLS the "Financing Options Available" is an additional search feature a savvy buyers agent knows to use to ensure that their buyers are looking at properties that the seller will accept the financing they are looking for. I come across this all the time with VA guaranteed loans since I am a veteran and work with other veteran buyers using their VA Guarantee. But if the seller is willing to accept seller financing I ensure the property description includes the verbiage for the terms that the seller is willing to accept on owner financed notes. So it is very clear in the listing that is one of many options the buyers have for financing the property. I always advocate disclosing down to your underpants! I have found this strategy very successful when I am selling multifamily properties and sellers want the additional continued cash flow without having to continue to manage/maintain the property.