Or people use a hard money lender who do still require a down payment but they use a partner's money who is getting a split of the proceeds of course.

I'm local here in Asheville, and eager to help you connect to other people and resources if you want to have a call.

I'm looking to make connections with people that are willing to share their insights.

A great way to network and meet people in your local community is to attend in person meet ups.

In terms of timeline, don't plan for it to be a fast process, your rockstar local loan officer will not be processing the assumption, it'll be a group of call center people reading scripts from a computer screen.

Thanks Nick, that makes sense.

Are people able to buy a duplex in this neighborhood with some kind of down payment assistance program for very little down and the payments are near your asking price.

I've just done the work myself: get a judgment, file to have wages garnished, place liens on any property they may own (I've had some people come up as being on joint title on a property).Some people will sent up a payment plan as soon as the sheriff shows up to serve them with papers because they're so embarrassed!

Offers need to make sense to work. 

Seller finance deals work when one of the following situations is present1- property can’t be financed with institutional financing usually because property is vacant (commercial property) or in bad condition2- seller will only accept an above market price for the property and by offering seller financing opens the universe of potential buyers to include people who wouldn’t qualify for financing3- seller is able to obtain a “piece of the action” from a buyer rehabbing the property and hence ultimately obtain a higher price.4- the seller has an existing low interest rate mortgage and wants to “wrap” the existing mortgage into a seller financed higher rate mortgage and pocket the differential 5- property is an investment property, seller has a low basis in the property because of depreciation, and wants to spread out the taxes due.Are you thinking of trying to purchase with 100% seller financing, or are you able to /willing to offer a down payment of say 10-20% .