Putting money for repairs in escrow as the buyer

Putting money for repairs in escrow as the buyer

Member since 2022 · 16 posts · 3 votes

I want to purchase a value add duplex. The seller is a friend and would like to owner finance. PP:260k, 5% interest, 10% down, 20 year mortgage. The property needs around 30k repairs. ARV: 320k. What I would like to do is put 30k of my money in escrow for repairs instead of doing a down payment. My thought is that the seller still knows I have "skin in the game." If I default before the repairs, they keep the money. Alternatively, if I default after the repairs they benefit from the rehab and get the house back. Assuming I can convince the seller to do this, does it make sense? Will a title company be able to do that? Thanks in advance!

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  • Investor · Austin, TX · Member since 2021 · 9k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    3y

    Why would you do that? Holds no benefit to you. Keep the rehab money in your bank account. 

  • Rental Property Investor · East Wenatchee, WA · Member since 2014 · 10k+ posts · 16k+ votes
    3y
    Quote from @Derick Hanna:

    I want to purchase a value add duplex. The seller is a friend and would like to owner finance. PP:260k, 5% interest, 10% down, 20 year mortgage. The property needs around 30k repairs. ARV: 320k. What I would like to do is put 30k of my money in escrow for repairs instead of doing a down payment. My thought is that the seller still knows I have "skin in the game." If I default before the repairs, they keep the money. Alternatively, if I default after the repairs they benefit from the rehab and get the house back. Assuming I can convince the seller to do this, does it make sense? Will a title company be able to do that? Thanks in advance!

    I've seen this done for BRRRs (adding repairs to the HUD-1 or settlement statement) to increase the PP so they can get a rate/term refi vs cash out.

    But this SF isn't bad so I wouldn't rush to refi. I'd keep the repair $.  Probably better for your seller also.  They will have closing costs and not beneficial to report a $290k sale vs $260k tax-wise. 

  • Member since 2022 · 16 posts · 3 votes
    3y
    Quote from @Steve Vaughan:
    Quote from @Derick Hanna:

    I want to purchase a value add duplex. The seller is a friend and would like to owner finance. PP:260k, 5% interest, 10% down, 20 year mortgage. The property needs around 30k repairs. ARV: 320k. What I would like to do is put 30k of my money in escrow for repairs instead of doing a down payment. My thought is that the seller still knows I have "skin in the game." If I default before the repairs, they keep the money. Alternatively, if I default after the repairs they benefit from the rehab and get the house back. Assuming I can convince the seller to do this, does it make sense? Will a title company be able to do that? Thanks in advance!

    I've seen this done for BRRRs (adding repairs to the HUD-1 or settlement statement) to increase the PP so they can get a rate/term refi vs cash out.

    But this SF isn't bad so I wouldn't rush to refi. I'd keep the repair $.  Probably better for your seller also.  They will have closing costs and not beneficial to report a $290k sale vs $260k tax-wise. 


  • Member since 2022 · 16 posts · 3 votes
    3y

    Thank you! That’s super helpful. 

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