Put Way Too Much Money Into A House: Sell or Owner Finance?

Put Way Too Much Money Into A House: Sell or Owner Finance?

Investor · Houston, TX · Member since 2016 · 14 posts · 4 votes

Hey Guys,

Just wanted to get some advice on a house I purchased that ended up being a headache. It's a 4/2/2 in Hitchcock TX that initially looked like a home run BRRR when I purchased it a year ago. Now, I've put in about 56k OOP (after 37k in unexpected foundation, flooring, and misc costs) into the property, have a mortgage of about 105k left and am hoping to sell this for about 155k-159k.  I chalked it up to a loss and expected to lose some significant money on the sale, lick my wounds, and try to come back stronger on the next one.


Now I have an offer for an owner finance with the following: 170k offer. Down payment of 20k (closing costs to be paid out of the down payment). 8.5% interest rate on a 30 year note ($1153 monthly payment) with a refi in 3 years. Of note, my PITI is $971 and it rented for $1350 before my tenants left.


What do you think? The math seems to work that I'd make money back in 3 years, but is it worth it to not have that cash to play with for that duration?  What would you do in that situation?  I have long term goals to 'buy the block' in inner loop Houston which would require significant fundraising regardless of my bank account, but there's still more I don't know than I know in that world.

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Real Estate Broker · Northeast PA · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 3k+ votes
6y

IDK, with less than 20% DP, I wouldn't do a traditional sale/deed transfer.  I WOULD consider a lease with non-refundable option fee.

If the buyer doesn't have cash for a decent DP or doesn't have the credit to finance the purchase with a mortgage lender, do you really want to be their bank?  

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  • Real Estate Broker · Northeast PA · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    6y

    IDK, with less than 20% DP, I wouldn't do a traditional sale/deed transfer.  I WOULD consider a lease with non-refundable option fee.

    If the buyer doesn't have cash for a decent DP or doesn't have the credit to finance the purchase with a mortgage lender, do you really want to be their bank?  

  • Joe VilleneuvePro Member
    Plymouth, MI · Member since 2013 · 13k+ posts · 19k+ votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @Marc Winter:

    IDK, with less than 20% DP, I wouldn't do a traditional sale/deed transfer.  I WOULD consider a lease with non-refundable option fee.

    If the buyer doesn't have cash for a decent DP or doesn't have the credit to finance the purchase with a mortgage lender, do you really want to be their bank?  

     Have to agree with Marc here.  I don't see this as a realistic sale for seller financing.  You would be sitting negative based on the difference of cash in for you an cash out from the DP, and it would take too long for you to recover that difference in using the spread of the mortgages.

    ...not to mention the fact your existing lender wouldn't let you take on a mortgage (seller financing) without paying them off first.

    Actually, as I'm writing this, and thinking more about this, I would bail on this and take my medicine.  You can move forward with whatever you take out of a sale and recover your losses on your next deal.

  • Cameron TopePro Member
    Property Manager · Katy, TX · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    6y

    Zoabe,

    It really depends on your financial position. Are you struggling to make ends meet? Do you have solid cash reserves? Do you have a solid income?

    Without knowing your personal financial position it's hard to say. 

    Keep in mind you'll be netting the difference between the borrowers $1,153 payment and just your PI, not your PITI of $971. The borrow with pay TI since they own the property.

    My guess is you'll make $400-$500/mo - that's solid cashflow for a long term investment by anyone's standard. 

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