subject: Could Subject-to Transactions Become The Next conventional Real Estate Deal? [print this page] In the past, subject-to transactions were the height of creative real estate investing and innovative real estate financing. After all, most of the people who were interested in buying properties did so in more conventional ways, by applying for a loan and then buying based on what the loan and their savings for a down payment indicated that they could afford. Real estate investors were the first to buy subject-to because their multiple property holdings often made it difficult for them to purchase properties in this conventional manner because lenders do not like to make loans to people with large amounts of outstanding debt in many cases even if they are able to repay it and are making all payments on time.
However, as real estate markets have changed and people are finding themselves less and less able to buy in the conventional manner, more and more sellers are opting to include buying subject-to the existing mortgage as an option in order to sell their homes in a glutted market. These sellers are so eager to get rid of their homes that they are willing to take a small down payment and buyers word that they will continue to make payments in order to move out. You have probably noticed that a large number of homes are now labeled seller financing available even when real estate agents are listing them. This used to be the exclusive territory of FSBOs and investors, but all that is changing.
The biggest ramification that this has for you as an investor is simple: it makes it that much easier to find deals. And in this market, when the deals are plentiful but they can be hard to get your hands on, that is a very important thing. I have found that most real estate agents are happy to work with me to find subject-to-ready properties even though they will make a small commission on the deal because it helps them keep moving their own inventory. Even better, many agents will actually work with investors to show potential sellers why a subject-to deal can be a good option for everyone, which I have found is extremely helpful because the agent often appears to the seller as a more neutral party than the potential buyer. I have found multiple lease-option properties that the seller ultimately was willing to sell as a subject-to by working closely with an agent.
So is the subject-to property the next conventional deal? I dont think so. In the end, I think that most people will still prefer to take out regular mortgages with regular lenders, and when the market picks up for sellers again they will be less likely to want to sell subject-to. However, I do think that this period of time will be incredibly helpful to real estate investors interested in subject-to investing because it has made the entire concept more accessible and acceptable.
Peter Vekselman has been successfully investing in real estate since 1996. He has completed over 1200 real estate deals, owned a construction company, been a private lender, and owned a property management company. Peter currently works with clients all over the US helping them achieve riches in real estate investing. For more information please visit www.CoachingByPeter.com
by: peter V
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