Holding Mortgage

Many types of mortgages are available to accommodate a wide spectrum of borrowers. But what if the typical terms of a mortgage aren’t appropriate for your situation? One action you can take is to get something called a holding mortgage – an alternative type of mortgage typically used for those who may not qualify for a traditional mortgage. 

Let’s delve a bit deeper into how a holding mortgage works and also look at the pros and cons of holding mortgages for buyers and sellers.It’s important to note that The Lending Mamba only offers traditional residential financing.

What Is A Holding Mortgage?

A holding mortgage is a type of non conforming loan that involves owner financing. Under a holding mortgage agreement, the homeowner acts as a lender to the home buyer, offering them a loan to finance their purchase. The buyer makes monthly payments to the seller, who retains the property title until the loan has been paid in full.

Most holding mortgages are short-term and may not be amortised, ensuring your principal and interest payments are fully paid off over the life of the loan. Details of a holding mortgage agreement are typically laid out in a promissory note between the buyer and seller and include the terms of the loan, like interest rate and down payment. Depending on state laws, holding mortgages may end with a larger, one-time payment called a balloon payment after a certain amount of time.

As a form of non-traditional financing, a holding mortgage won’t work for everyone. Make sure you explore your options to see the benefits that other types of loans offer.

Benefits Of Holding A Mortgage For A Buyer

When the seller is willing to hold the mortgage, there’s more flexibility than with traditional mortgages. Because sellers may have more lenient requirements, this type of seller financing is a viable option for prospective buyers who, for whatever reason, might not qualify for a traditional mortgage. Plus, with more flexibility and fewer qualifications, opting for a holding mortgage can speed up the overall home buying process, require lower monthly payments and allow the buyer a good opportunity to build home equity.

Drawbacks Of Holding A Mortgage For A Buyer

Like almost anything in life, a holding mortgage has some downsides. While lower monthly payments are a possibility, you’ll most likely be paying a higher interest rate than if you had a traditional mortgage. In addition to higher interest, you could end up paying a large balloon payment at the end of the term, meaning you would have to prepare a savings plan in order to make that final payment, which is often several times the amount of a monthly payment.

One factor that could influence your decision on whether this type of mortgage is right for you is the existence of a due-on-sale clause, also known as an alienation clause. A due-on-sale clause stipulates that a seller’s outstanding mortgage balance can’t be passed on to the buyer and the buyer must obtain a new mortgage. Without this clause, the outstanding mortgage of the house might influence a buyer’s decision on purchasing that property

Another drawback of holding mortgages for buyers is the simple fact that the seller of the property they want to buy might not want to enter into a holding mortgage agreement. Just like for buyers, this type of mortgage has pros and cons for sellers, and not every seller will think the additional responsibility of holding a mortgage is worth the time, money and effort.

If you’re considering a holding mortgage, it’s best to take a look at some traditional loans, too – you might be able to qualify for a mortgage that fits your needs without the drawbacks of seller financing.

Benefits Of A Holding Mortgage For Sellers

For some sellers, holding mortgages are good investment opportunities. When a seller is willing to hold a mortgage, they open a new avenue to earn additional passive income. Even if the buyer defaults on the mortgage, the seller can retain the title and any principal interest already paid. Lenders sometimes sell mortgage notes(think: a real estate IOU) to an investor in exchange for a lump-sum payment, which can be a profitable opportunity for some real estate investors.

Offering this type of mortgage can also attract more buyers who may be willing to negotiate the terms of a holding mortgage. For sellers looking to sell quickly, being flexible with the type of mortgage they’re willing to accept could help move the process along.

Drawbacks Of A Holding Mortgage For Sellers

While holding mortgages offer additional options for sellers, they have some drawbacks, too – mainly around what happens if a buyer can no longer make their monthly payments. If a buyer defaults on their mortgage, they could go into foreclosure and the seller may have to make expensive repairs and renovations that the buyer didn’t make. Going through legal procedures because your buyer defaulted on their payments eats up time and money – possibly the time and money you were trying to save by entering into a holding mortgage agreement in the first place.