how to assume a mortgage with less risk than a subject to

[Kyle O'Donnell]

Subject-to means subject to the existing loan. This means having the home owner sign the deed of the house over to you, with the promise that you will make their mortgage payment.  However, the lender is not made aware of this change.  This allows us to retain their low interest rate.  

I've heard horror stories about subject to.  For example, the original owner may come calling to wipe out their house debt when their debt:income sucks and threatening to make lender aware of changes to claim the due on sale clause.  Is there a safer way to buy and home and assume the original mortgage terms?