Seller financing sale vs keep and Rent out property

Seller financing sale vs keep and Rent out property

Investor · Dallas TX · Member since 2017 · 21 posts · 6 votes

I have a paid off 2bed/2bath townhome in phoenix. Bought for 90k now worth around 280-300k. Recently did a full rehab and decided instead of tenants trashing it we shud sell it. Rehab around 8k. If we were to rent it it wud rent between 1600-1800. Hoa fees 200 a month. Then minor insurance and tax expense.

Wife is determined to sell it via seller finance because it would provide cash flow and we don't have to deal with repairs taxes hoa fees etc. She says we can also sell the note later if we want to. I want to sell it outright and buy something closer in Dallas are where we live and can take care of the property. 1031 is a concern because we might not find smth comparable in Dallas at the current prices.

Offer we received is : $292,000, 30 year seller financing 7.5% with $29,200 down.

Total monthly payment they'd pay is $1838.00 (they take care of hoa fees taxes insurance etc, repairs.)

Total value of note: $661,680.

My concern is dollar depreciates so quick that 1838 in 10 years could be like 300 today with countries moving away from the dollar. Even if they refi in 5-10 years and pay us off we might not be able to get same benefit of getting money now. We also don't need the 1800 per month right now, though it would be nice. Also we can mostly manage it remotely but it's an older place and we would rather not have properties out of state.

Is this a good offer. Should we just sell traditional way or counter offer the seller financing offer with better terms and what would that be? Please offer advice or strategy. Thank you.

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Chris SeveneyBusiness Member
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Investor · VA · Member since 2015 · 21k+ posts · 19k+ votes
3y

@Ivan Smith

Sell it traditionally

I invest in notes and always tell people do not sell seller finance

While you think it’s great cash flow / that interest you are making is ordinary income

How are you handling all the payments ? You will need to use a third party servicer that will run you $35-$50/mo

If you go to sell it down the line expect to get about 60-80 cents on the dollar as an investor will buy it and want a 10%+ return

Better off taking your $ investing in a real estate, mutual fund or something else more liquid than a 30 year note.

Seller finance should only be used when you have a turd (look up this on BP on other posts I have commented on with this strategy).

To use another analogy - if you hit the lottery you take money now or annuity ? You take it now (even when total amount is less than annuity) - why take payment when it’s the same ??

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  • Chris SeveneyBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Investor · VA · Member since 2015 · 21k+ posts · 19k+ votes
    3y

    @Ivan Smith

    Sell it traditionally

    I invest in notes and always tell people do not sell seller finance

    While you think it’s great cash flow / that interest you are making is ordinary income

    How are you handling all the payments ? You will need to use a third party servicer that will run you $35-$50/mo

    If you go to sell it down the line expect to get about 60-80 cents on the dollar as an investor will buy it and want a 10%+ return

    Better off taking your $ investing in a real estate, mutual fund or something else more liquid than a 30 year note.

    Seller finance should only be used when you have a turd (look up this on BP on other posts I have commented on with this strategy).

    To use another analogy - if you hit the lottery you take money now or annuity ? You take it now (even when total amount is less than annuity) - why take payment when it’s the same ??

    7e investments53 Reviews
  • Investor · Dallas TX · Member since 2017 · 21 posts · 6 votes
    3y

    Great thank you for the response. I feel the same way about the points you made. 

  • Real Estate Broker · Coppell, TX · Member since 2011 · 5k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    3y

    Take the cash today.

    You can try 1031 and if it doesn't work, it doesn't work and then you pay taxes.  You are correct though, not always 100% easy to find the replacement property.  If worse comes to worse you could invest it potentially in a passive project, plenty of those around.

    I am not an owner finance guy, but I always think to myself, why would you finance someone when a bank wouldn't?  They're supposed to be experts at evaluating risks.  Not sure they're always great at it, but I would think they're better at it than any one person doing one deal.  I don't know how to evaluate that risk, but I would think being a one owner, one owner finance guy, in an OOS market with 10% down is fairly high risk.

    I would think you'd want higher interest if you're taking on that risk.....what I see now is 12-14% on a lot of owner financed deals.  7.5% is almost market rate.  Also you might want to think 10 year balloon with 30 year amortization, so you're not in this thing forever potentially.

  • Investor · Dallas TX · Member since 2017 · 21 posts · 6 votes
    3y

    Great thanks for your input. My wife is looking at it like we are getting 600+k over the 30 years instead of 250-300 we ll get now after realtor fees etc. Also pheonix market is dropping fast. And if they default we get property back. 

    They ll most likely refinance it when rates drop And then we get balance but like years later and at that point property prices will probably go up and out money wount be as valuable. Unless there is a way to put in prepay penalty clause of some sort. This is way over my hear though. Anyway appreciate your input. Thanks

  • Jeffrey DanielsBusiness Member
    Real Estate Broker · Phoenix, AZ · Member since 2016 · 68 posts · 38 votes
    3y

    @Ivan Smith those seem like dynamite terms on a seller-carry deal. Most that I come across seem to be stacking the deck against the buyer to default and revert. 7.5% & 10% down seems inline with the retail mortgage market these days - but you're probably not charging origination fees, or selling off the paper right away. Also, couldn't a buyer trash the place and then default just as easily as a renter? I'm getting ready to list a 2 bed / 2 bath townhouse in Deer Valley and have been looking at valuations around the Valley. Msg me the address and I will share my price opinion with you.

    Jeffrey Daniels, REALTOR® - Century 21 Arizona Foothills519 Reviews
  • Investor · Dallas TX · Member since 2017 · 21 posts · 6 votes
    3y

    Thanks I'll message you.

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