Real Estate Information

Zero Down Real Estate Investing


Zero down? Why would a seller want to walk away from closing with nothing? Well, they wouldn't, and that brings up the most important point about real estate investing with no downpayment: The seller almost always needs cash at closing, but it doesn't have to be YOUR cash.

A Zero Down Example

I'm selling a small rental property right now, with payments of $400/month. The buyer has a good credit report, and the $5,000 downpayment covers closing costs and even a foreclosure, if necessary. So at this point, I don't care where he gets the downpayment. A $6000 cash advance on a low-interest credit card for example, would cost him about $135 per month, and give him enough for the downpayment and his closing costs.

In this case, with rent around $600 per month, he would be okay. In some cases, however, that extra $135 might cause negative cash-flow. So be sure that however you do it, the numbers work. By the way, I would have set the payments at $350, if he had asked, because it's the price and the interest rate that are important to me.

Other Zero Downpayment Methods

While there are sellers (like myself) that are able to offer terms and low downpayments, usually you have to find a way to get at least 70% of the price to them in cash. Think in terms of how to get a primary loan, then how to raise the money for the remainder. A couple examples follow.

Some banks still do "no doc" loans, meaning they don't require verification of income, source of downpayment, etc. They generally loan only 70% to 80% of the property value, but if the seller is willing to take a second mortgage from you for the other 20% to 30%, you are in with no money down. The seller gets 70% or 80% in cash, plus payments for years to come. You'll have two payments, of course, so be sure the numbers work.

You can borrow against your home or other property to come up with downpayment money. If you borrow for a "vacation," and leave whatever you don't spend in your checking account for a while, you can use it without violating bankers rules about borrowing for a downpayment.

Even if you live in a small town, there are usually a few "note buyers." These are investors that buy land contracts, mortgage loans and other "notes" at a discount. If a seller takes a purchase money mortgage from you for $100,000, for example, a note buyer might pay him $85,000 for it. So how does that help you or him?

An example: A seller prices his property at $195,000, and expects to sell it for $180,000. You offer $205,000 in the form of a mortgage for $160,000, and another for $50,000. You have arranged for the sale of the first mortgage at closing for $136,000 to a note buyer. The seller gets that cash now, plus payments from you on the second loan for $50,000. Notice that this adds up to $186,000, which is more than he expected to get out of the deal.

These are just some of the ways you can buy with zero down. Real estate investing is about making the deal work for all parties. Find a way to get what you want, and get the seller what he wants. That is more important than having big cash on hand.

Steve Gillman has invested real estate for years. To learn more, and to see a photo of a beautiful house he and his wife bought for $17,500, visit http://www.HousesUnderFiftyThousand.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Marquette starts center to study real estate
Chicago Tribune, United States - 9 hours ago
AP MILWAUKEE - Marquette University has started a new center to research real estate trends and provide education for Wisconsin businesses. ...


Father, son stick to basics in real estate development firm
Detroit Free Press, United States - 19 hours ago
"We're able to minimize our risk while having the rewards underlying real estate." And the firm enjoys "the flexibility to operate in multiple states across ...


Delek seeks to up stake in real estate unit by 10 pct
Reuters UK, UK - 11 hours ago
TA: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Sunday it was seeking to raise its stake in unit Delek Real Estate (DLKR.TA: Quote, Profile, Research) by another 10 ...


Persian Gulf Shares Retreat, Led by Real-Estate; Emaar Declines
Bloomberg - 13 hours ago
7 (Bloomberg) -- Persian Gulf shares fell, following global markets lower, led by real-estate companies, amid investor concern that the construction boom ...
UAE stocks crash led by real estate firms GulfNews
Emaar shares plunge 7.98% as concerns surface over sector GulfNews
all 7 news articles


Real estate agents learn to adapt
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, FL - 21 hours ago
By Tom Bayles Few knew three years ago that the heady days of the real estate boom would soon be coming to an end, but Horizon Realty owner Matt Augustyniak ...
Negotiating skills vital to home purchase San Francisco Chronicle
It's good to haggle over the commission San Francisco Chronicle
all 4 news articles


Tappe White Real Estate Services | Fort Worth
Fort Worth Star Telegram, TX - 19 hours ago
Randy White with The Randy White Team of Tappe White Real Estate Services presents 4001 Penny Royal Drive in the Crawford Farms addition of Fort Worth. ...
Tappe White Real Estate Services | Colleyville Fort Worth Star Telegram
all 2 news articles


REAL ESTATE: Searching for bottom
Las Vegas Review - Journal, NV - 17 hours ago
With the pep talk from real estate agents contradicted by doom-and-gloom reports on the housing industry, nobody seems to really know if or when the market ...
It's over on the edge: Plans for outskirts out Las Vegas Review - Journal
all 2 news articles


Dubai builder invests in Kalamazoo commercial real estate
MLive.com, MI - 18 hours ago
KALAMAZOO, MI -- It may be hard to believe, but a Dubai businessman is buying real estate in downtown Kalamazoo. But without any major shipping ports here, ...


Williams Trew Real Estate Services | Fort Worth
Fort Worth Star Telegram, TX - 19 hours ago
Debbie Hunn and Karen Hunn of Williams Trew Real Estate Services present an exciting urban lifestyle in Fort Worth’s true skyscraper, The Tower. ...
Williams Trew Real Estate Services | Fort Worth Fort Worth Star Telegram
all 2 news articles


REAL ESTATE
Belleville News Democrat,  USA - 18 hours ago
• 600 S. High St.; from Michael B. McKenzie and Jean M. McKenzie; to Robert B. Autry; $80000. • 2127 E. "B" St.; from Mary C. Krakowiecki; to Bradley M. ...

Real-Estate - Google News

home | site map
Realty Web Services © 2007 MesaSky Services