Transfer Loan to Family Friend?

[Kevin S.]

Hello BP,
I've been on here for several years off and on, and I'm now looking at picking up a REO property and would like to finance it to lock in a mortgage rate. Lest someone see my other post from a few minutes ago, this is a separate property, and unrelated. I've done construction for years, also did a whole-house remodel on my current home as well, and am not concerned about the work on this REO and associated costs. My question is this: We have some good friends who will move back into the area in a year or so, and I was wondering if anyone knew of mortgage lenders who might allow assumption/transfer of loan to keep same payment schedule and rate? Basically just change name/owner should the new person qualify for payments? Is this even a thing that's possible? My thought is to allow them to get their life and jobs lined up as they are moving back, and then I can just hand them the mortgage (of course they would pay me back for what I put into it up until that point). I'm sure there is some "don't do that, you'll get burned" opinion, and I understand, but I'm blessed to be able to do this, and I want to help them out so they have the best chance of having a half-decent interest rate should rates go up another 2-3% in the next 10-12 months. Are there any lenders or types of loans that would allow this? If it doesn't work out I could turn around and sell the place on the open market for an easy 75K over what I will put into it so I'm not concerned.

Thanks for the insight.