WANT SELLER FINANCING? ASK THIS POWERFUL QUESTION TO SEAL THE DEAL!
In real estate investing, especially when dealing with seller financing, owner financing, and subject-to (SubTo) deals, the ability to close deals quickly can make all the difference in your success. Whether you're an experienced investor or just starting out, there's one question that will help you seal the deal faster. In this post, we’ll break down the importance of asking this question and how it applies to strategies like taking over mortgage payments, wraparound mortgages, and rent-to-own deals.
Why Asking the Right Question Matters
Creative real estate financing offers significant opportunities, but it also requires asking the right questions to determine a seller’s willingness to make a deal. Seller financing, SubTo deals, and owner finance strategies all rely on the investor’s ability to identify motivated sellers and propose creative solutions.
The key question I always ask is:
"If I can make your monthly payments and keep making them until we cash out the underlying debt, will that work for you?"
This question not only opens the door to taking over mortgage payments but also helps the seller feel confident in your ability to solve their problem, whether it's financial hardship or the need to move quickly.
How This Question Leads to Seller Financing Success
Seller financing is one of the best strategies for real estate investors looking to scale their portfolios without relying on bank loans. By offering to take over a seller's mortgage payments, you're giving them a way out of their situation while also securing a profitable deal for yourself. Asking this key question ensures you're dealing with sellers who are motivated and ready to negotiate terms that work for both parties.
When a seller responds positively, it usually means they’re open to:
- Seller financing: You take control of the property while making payments directly to the seller.
- Subject-to investing (SubTo): You take over the existing mortgage payments without assuming the loan, keeping the seller’s loan in place.
- Wraparound mortgages: You create a new mortgage that "wraps around" the seller's existing loan, making payments to both the seller and their lender.
- Rent-to-own deals: You structure a deal where the tenant (buyer) rents the property with the option to purchase it in the future, often with seller financing involved.
Creative Financing Strategies That Work with This Question
Subject-to (SubTo) Investing When you ask the seller if you can take over their mortgage payments, you're setting up the perfect opportunity for a SubTo deal. In this scenario, you take over the mortgage without officially assuming the loan, which allows you to control the property without using your credit or securing new financing. This is particularly attractive for sellers who are behind on payments or need to move quickly.
Seller Financing Seller financing is a great alternative when the seller owns the property free and clear or has significant equity. By asking to make payments directly to the seller, you're bypassing the bank and creating a win-win situation where the seller earns interest, and you acquire the property without a traditional loan.
Wraparound Mortgages In a wraparound mortgage, you offer to take over the seller's existing loan while structuring a new loan that includes the seller’s equity. This is a fantastic strategy for sellers who still owe on their mortgage but want to sell the property quickly. By using the right question, you can gauge whether the seller is open to this creative solution.
Rent-to-Own Deals For sellers who may not be ready to fully part with their property, a rent-to-own arrangement can be a great solution. By asking if you can make monthly payments and structure a future purchase, you’re offering the seller a flexible solution while setting yourself up for future ownership.
The Importance of Understanding Seller Motivation
The magic of this question lies in its ability to reveal a seller’s motivation. Once a seller responds positively, you know they’re open to creative financing options. If they respond with hesitation, you can dive deeper into their needs and tailor your offer accordingly. Either way, you’re able to filter out unmotivated sellers and focus on deals that are more likely to close.
Generating Free Leads Through Cold Calling
Cold calling is one of the most effective ways to generate free leads for real estate deals. By asking the right questions on these calls, you can quickly identify which sellers are motivated and interested in creative financing options. If you’re looking to scale your real estate business, learning how to cold call and master techniques like "calling for dollars" is essential.
Why This Question Boosts Your Success Rate
This single question acts as a powerful filter, allowing you to focus only on the most promising leads. By mastering this technique, you’ll waste less time chasing unmotivated sellers and spend more time closing deals that will grow your business.
Conclusion: Start Closing More Deals with This Question
Creative real estate investing is all about providing flexible solutions to sellers who need to move fast. Whether you’re interested in seller financing, SubTo investing, or wraparound mortgages, asking the right question is key to identifying motivated sellers and closing deals quickly.
Want to dive deeper into these strategies? Grab a copy of my book at TheNewFlip.com or visit MyRealEstateDojo.com to learn more about mastering seller financing and creative financing in real estate!