creative financing

[Carrie Hallensleben]

Hello,

Just looking for some input. My husband and I have a single family home we live in which is 1/2 paid off and has about 10 more years on the loan. We also have two investment properties that have both been renovated and rented. We live in a lake community and would LOVE to get a house that is lake front. Today I wrote a letter to a guy who has his property listed on Zillow but not through the realestate agency although he is a realtor. It is advertised for $425,000 which is out of our price range but I'd like to try to find a way to make it work. I think the owner probably doesn't have a mortage on it. In my letter I told him we are putting away money each month to save for a down payment to get onto the lake and we'd love to work out a creative deal with him. If he were to respond, I honestly have no idea what to suggest as a fair and affordable deal. I have never tried anything like this before. Would love any input.

Thanks,

Carrie