Assuming a Pre-existing Mortgage
An Assumption of Mortgage occurs when you you purchase a home and assume the seller's pre-existing mortgage. You're then required to fulfill the obligations of the existing loan agreement the seller made with the lender. The obligations are similar to those you would incur if you were taking out a new mortgage. When assuming a mortgage, you become personally liable for the payment of principal and interest.

The seller remains liable to the mortgage lender (whether the lender is a commercial bank, credit union, thrift, mortgage banker, or mortgage broker) until the lender agrees to release them. When the seller, or original mortgagor, is released from the liability, they should get that release in writing. Otherwise, he or she could be liable if the new owner doesn't make the monthly payments.

For example, a homeowner owes a 30-year mortgage loan of $250,000 against his house. A prospective buyer wants to purchase the house and assume the pre-existing mortgage. The buyer pays $50,000 cash for the equity and assumes the mortgage, becoming liable for the debt. The original owner remains liable as well if he or she is not officially released from the agreement with the lender.
Click here to view an example of an Assumption of Mortgage Agreement Form
What is a lease option and when is it right for you?

A lease option basically means you are leasing or renting a property with an option to buy it at a future date. The future price of the property should be fixed at the time the lease-option is signed.

Usually there is an up-front payment of some amount to purchase the option. That amount can vary. Sometimes the monthly payment is larger than normal and the excess is used to purchase the option. In some cases, the option money can be applied toward the down payment for the later purchase of the home.

Lease-options are usually done during a slow real estate market. During a hot market, the seller can simply sell the home in the regular manner.


What benefits do a lease option hold for the seller?

  • They often get to sell the house at a higher price than they could sell it in a normal transaction.
  • They can sell the house during a slow market.
  • By being able to collect a larger monthly payment than they could obtain in a normal lease, the property "cash-flows" and they don't have to come up with money out of their own pocket each month to make the mortgage payment.
  • They get some up-front option money and when the buyer cannot exercise the option, they get to keep it.
What risks do a lease option hold for the buyer?

Individuals who attempt to buy homes on a lease-option rarely end up buying the home. This often has to do with the reason they try to buy on a lease-option. They usually cannot qualify for a home loan and expect that they will be able to qualify after a period of time. Later, they find they still cannot qualify - whether it is because of poor credit, lack of income (documentable income), or lack of savings to have a large enough down payment. If this happens, you lose any option money you might have paid up front or as part of your monthly payment.

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Is buying commercial property for income a good idea now?
Buying commercial real estate can be a secure and profitable investment if you take the time to research, get advice from experts and know your risks and benefits.

"There are four main reasons to buy investment real estate: cash flow, appreciation, depreciation and principal pay-down," says Mike McCaffery, Investment Property Consultant, GFS Commercial, a division of the Guiltinan Group Real Estate Specialists.

Owning commercial real estate can be a great way to diversify your portfolio, create tax benefits and build wealth. However, buying commercial real estate can be a risky business, especially these days when many people are getting into real estate without completely understanding the industry.

"There are different kinds of investors. There are some people who are very wealthy and they'll buy trophy properties for example and the returns are very minimal, but they hold them because they want to have a long-term hold. A lot of other investors want the cash flow so they're going to go to other areas that have a higher cash flow or higher return but it's not going to be in the best areas," says Investment Property Consultant Eric Warfield with GFS Commercial.
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Which Is Better: Fixed Rate Mortgage Or Adjustable Rate Mortgage?
People often assume that because adjustable-rate mortgages "share risk" between mortgage lender and mortgage lendee, they will be rewarded with a lower mortgage rate than if they chose a comparable fixed-rate mortgage.

The chart at the left proves that thinking false.

Three separate times since mid-September, 5-year ARMs priced worse than a similar 30-year, fixed rate mortgage.  It's atypical, but it does happen from time to time.

And it's also why locking mortgage rates is like running a Peyton Manning offense -- you can't call a play until you've stepped to the line and studied what's on the other side of the ball.

Before settling on a specific mortgage plan, remember that mortgage markets change daily and mortgage rates change every 3 hours, 11 minutes.  A 5-year ARM may look cheaper in the morning, but by the afternoon, it could be losing out to the 30-year fixed and -- all things equal -- it's better to take that fixed-rate mortgage at a lower rate if it's available.
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Is Now the Right Time to Buy?


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Home Tour Checklist

Every airplane, a friend once told me, has something wrong with it. The pilot just needs to know what it is before he takes off. We recommend the same approach when buying a home. No house is perfect. But you can negotiate a better deal if you know about its problems early.

15 Tips for Touring Homes...

  1. Bring a camera, notebook & tape measure
  2. You think you'll remember everything but you won't. Compare the home's dimensions to your couch, dining table and guest bed.
  3. See how much sunlight the place gets
  4. Visit during the day. Imagine the trees with leaves – they may block your view, or provide some welcome shade.
  5. Check the bathrooms for rot & mold
    On the ceiling above the shower, along the baseboards by the tub.
  6. Look for wavy or discolored wood siding on the exterior
    The south-facing wall gets the most sun; the north-facing is the most damp.
Read the rest of the tips...

JBA Network / Content Corner • 311 Montford Ave • Asheville • NC • 28801