Eric Miller, Ft Lauderdale Realtor, Explores the Advantages of Seller Financing while Listing Your Ft Lauderdale Property

Posted by Eric Miller on Wednesday, October 25th, 2023 at 9:42am.


When it comes to selling your Fort Lauderdale home, many options are available to make your home stand out from other homes available in the market.  Eric Miller, Fort Lauderdale Realtor says now may be a great time to visit offering seller financing if you are in position to do so. Eric Miller, a Fort Lauderdale realtor for over two decades says now is a great time to consider the power of seller financing if you are aware of all the potential pit falls and work with a realtor and attorney who can help you avoid them.  It can be a game-changer in selling your home, and Eric Miller, your trusted Fort Lauderdale Realtor, is here to shed light on the many benefits, and potential issues of offering Seller Financing.

Attract & Convert More Buyers for your Fort Lauderdale Area home or condo with Seller Financing

 In the competitive real estate market, seller financing can make your Ft Lauderdale Area property stand out. As a Fort Lauderdale Realtor, Eric Miller knows that by offering seller financing, you can draw in more potential buyers, including those who may qualify for traditional mortgages but would rather save some closing costs by using seller financing. If you don’t currently have a mortgage and are aiming towards downsizing Eric Miller points out that this can be a great way to attract more buyers, possibly obtain a better price, secure income for a number of years and possibly even differ capital gains taxes. As of today, South Florida Realtor, Eric Miller Points out of the approximately 7000 homes and condos on the market in Broward County less than 200 are offering some form of seller financing and it is just about evenly split between South Florida Condos and Single-Family Homes. When offering seller financing you need to work with a realtor who knows how to promote the exact terms that would make it meaningful to you as a seller to use this selling process.

Earn Ongoing Income while selling your Fort Lauderdale Property

Seller financing allows you to become the bank, offering you a source of ongoing monthly interest payments. This consistent income stream is a long-term investment opportunity, ensuring you benefit beyond the initial sale of your Fort Lauderdale home. In a financial market where historically dividend stocks offered retirees payments higher than the rate of inflation, owner financing can be a great investment vehicle. Sellers set the interest rate. It is completely up to the seller how they want to approach this. If you wish to offer the property to someone who may not qualify for a traditional mortgage, you take on more risk but can charge a higher interest rate. If you wish to accept a lower down payment the same is true, you take on more risk. With seller financing, you set the terms.  As the seller, you decide the interest rate you want to charge. While buyers can try to negotiate, you have the final say. This flexibility gives you a competitive edge in the real estate market when you are selling your home. As a Fort Lauderdale Realtor who has been through numerous market swings over the years, I tend to be conservative with every financial transaction. Though it is totally up to the buyer and seller, and their legal advisor, I would suggest you consider owner financing at 1% below the current market interest rate, a substantial downpayment of above 25%, amortized over 30 years, with a payout of no longer than 5 or 10 years.

Addition things to consider when selling a Ft Lauderdale Area Property with Seller Financing

Just like a bank, a seller who offers financing can charge upfront fees. By being transparent and fair about these fees, you can create a competitive offering for your Fort Lauderdale property. The most obvious fees to pass along would be legal fees, including document preparation fees.

Simple interest amortization loans front loan the interest.  Seller financing follows a simple interest amortization structure that favors the lender, providing you with a larger amount of interest in the initial years of the loan. It's an efficient way to maximize your returns in the early stages of the loan.

Set a time limit that works for you and your personal needs.  Instead of a 30-year commitment, you can structure the loan as a balloon mortgage with a specified time limit. This ensures you receive your full payment within a shorter timeframe, offering financial security and flexibility.

No Appraisal: As a seller offering financing, you are not required to go through any appraisal process. If a buyer wishes to have an appraisal, they should be allowed to complete it and pay for it.

Seller financing can offer tax benefits by spreading capital gains over time. This can be especially advantageous if you exceed the IRS exemption limit or are selling an investment property. As a Ft Lauderdale Realtor Eric Miller is here to give real estate information but when it comes to tax advise always suggests you speak to your accountant.

While the advantages of seller financing are clear, being aware of potential drawbacks and mitigate these risks is essential. As your Fort Lauderdale Realtor, Eric Miller is here to guide you through the real estate process and help you make informed decisions. Here are some things to think about in changing the risk profile of our transaction.

Consider some options to protect yourself when offering seller financing. Consider offering a second mortgage only. Instead of providing the primary mortgage, consider lending a portion of the down payment to reduce your exposure. This is one of our promotable fields in our Multiple Listing Service. Eric Miller your Fort Lauderdale Realtor is not a fan of this type of financing as should properties values drop you will always be behind the first mortgage in protecting your investment. Take additional collateral such as liens against the buyer's other assets, to secure your investment. Again, not ideal, as the most straight forward way to provide owner financing is feel that the property you are selling minus the downpayment more than covers the value of the loan. Conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the buyer's credit history and financial situation to minimize the risk of default and check references, employment and personal. Though your attorney will discuss with you make sure to be listed as the mortgagee on the property insurance.

In conclusion, seller financing is a powerful tool in the Fort Lauderdale real estate market, and with the guidance of Eric Miller, your Fort Lauderdale Realtor, you can leverage its benefits while minimizing potential risks. Make informed decisions to achieve your real estate goals and maximize your returns.


Eric Miller is an award winning Florida Realtor, salesperson and broker. His website, FortLauderdaleGroup.com provides an up-to-date guide to Fort Lauderdale Condos for sale, and the most complete buyer, seller and investor information for the Fort Lauderdale Real Estate Market.

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