Below are a few techniques, provided the seller is willing to negotiate and has a genuine interest in selling the property as soon as possible.

Buying with no money down.

The simplest method for real estate investment is to take over their mortgage payments. This is called assuming the mortgage. Naturally, you will need to be approved by the original lender to assume the mortgage. If you cannot be approved for an assumable mortgage, you may also try a subject to assumption mortgage, which means that you make the monthly payments while the property remains in the seller's name.

What if the seller asks more than what the balance is on the mortgage?

If the seller wants a higher price than what is owed on the mortgage, you can still assume the mortgage and then get a second mortgage with the seller for the remaining cost of the house. Offer the seller a high interest-only payment for a short period, for example two or three years.

At the end of the term on the second mortgage, you should be able to refinance the property and pay off the seller. Unless there has been a downward trend in real estate, your real estate investment should have gained value in a few years.

There is no mortgage to assume-then what?

A majority of mortgage lenders want to make a good investment. While your local bank may still shy away there are plenty of financial lenders that would love to make a deal and finance your loan.

Finance companies like real estate. The mortgage is usually based on 60-70% of the value of the property, so as long as they know they will get their money back in the value of the property if you default. Complete the deal with a second mortgage created with the seller.

As you can see, there are ways to invest in real estate as long as the buyer and seller work together.

Posted by John Warner on December 13, 2008 at 12:00 AM

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