How to Sell Your Mortgage Note

Tired of receiving monthly payments?

Wishing for a lump sum of cash today?

If you sold property with seller financing chances are you’ve wondered about selling the real estate note. Here’s how to sell a mortgage note, trust deed, or contract in 7 easy steps.

Step #1 – Request Quote

Just complete a short informational worksheet to receive a free no obligation quote. This can be submitted online, by fax, or over the phone.

Click Here for a List of Note Buyers

Click Here to Download a Worksheet (PDF)

Step #2 – Provide Document Copies

To get started note buyers like to see copies of these three documents:

• Settlement Statement
• Promissory Note
• Mortgage, Trust Deed, or Contract

It is also a good time to be sure you know where the originals are located, especially the Promissory Note, as they will be requested at closing.

Step #3 – Accept Offer & Agreement

Once an offer is accepted it will be outlined in a written agreement. In addition to stating the price, the agreement will specify conditions of closing and who pays costs.

Step #4 – Note Buyer Review

The mortgage note buyer will perform a detailed review of the transaction, known as due diligence. This includes a review of the buyer’s credit, current tax and insurance status, payer interview, and other important items. They may also request copies of additional documents including a payment history, insurance policy, and existing title report.

Step #5 – Appraisal

The note investor will order an evaluation of the current property value. This usually takes the form of a BPO or drive-by appraisal. The investor wants to be sure the property value is still equal to or greater than the sales price. If the value comes in low, the note investor may present a revised offer for consideration.

Step #6 – Title Search

The title search verifies ownership of the property and the mortgage note. It saves time and money to work with any title report that might exist from the original sale date. If the title search shows money is still owed on a prior mortgage it will usually be paid from proceeds.

Step #7 – Closing

When all steps are complete the note buyer will send the final closing documents for signature. The title company is often used to handle the exchange of money for the original note and transfer documents. Funds are typically paid in the form of a wire transfer or cashier’s check. You are also encouraged to have your attorney review and advise with the closing process.

Selling your mortgage note can be a simple process when you work with an experienced note buyer. Just take a few minutes upfront to gather your information and documents and they will handle the rest for you!

Sometimes it is not only what you know, but who you know.

Knowing the right people can not only make things easier, in the case of the 2010 Directory of Owner Financed Note Buyers, it could also make you more money!

Gain access to our personal Rolodex of experienced note professionals that took years to develop.  Work direct with knowledgeable investors, educators, and master note brokers.

Structuring Notes for Top Dollar Pricing

The terms of owner financing dramatically impact the price an investor is willing to pay should the seller ever decide to sell their note, mortgage, trust deed or contract.  Use these optimum terms to structure a seller financed transaction for top dollar pricing. Read more

Real Deal #147 – Estate Note in Arizona

Welcome to Real Deals!  It’s always easier to learn from real life so here we share information from actual owner financed transactions. A seller-financed note is an asset. The seller can elect to hold the asset collecting payments, sell the note, or leave to heirs as part of their estate.  Many heirs would prefer cash now rather than payments over time.  A large number of notes are purchased through estate distribution similar to this Arizona note. Read more

What is a Payer Estoppel?

Prior to purchasing a seller financed note, the investor might ask for a payer estoppel.  This simple one page letter or document is sent to the person making payments on the note, mortgage, deed of trust, or real estate contract.

The estoppel explains the investor is contemplating the purchase of the note, reassuring the payer that all terms and conditions will remain the same.  It then summarizes the information on the note including current balance, interest rate, terms of repayment, and contact information for the payer.

In addition to confirming information, it also provides the payer an opportunity to validate or dispute the details provided by the seller.  This can be particularly important when there is no third party outside servicing company collecting payments and keeping track of the balance.

The estoppel, also known as the vendee verification, is usually sent to the payer by certified mail or some other method of delivery confirmation.  Most investors mail once the title and property value have been reviewed and the transaction is near closing.  It might also be performed with a payer interview or verbal debt verification.

Safekeeping the Original Note

Can you easily locate the original promissory note?  This important legal document should be kept in a safe place, and here is why!

The note is a promise to pay or IOU from the buyer, spelling out the amount and terms of repayment. In legal jargon it is known as a negotiable instrument.  Similar to a check, the original must be presented to collect or prove ownership.

If the seller desires to sell and assign the note payments to an investor, the investor will ask for the original note to be provided at closing. Read more

What is Due Diligence?

Before a note investor will pay cash to a seller for future payments, they perform what is called “due diligence”.  This is really just a fancy word for research.  You can simplify the process by being prepared for these common note investor requirements. Read more

Real Deal #140 – Retirement Account Purchases Texas Note

Welcome to Real Deals!  It’s always easier to learn from real life so here we share information from actual owner financed transactions.

Small balance notes are often passed over by larger institutional type investors. This provides high yielding investment opportunities for private investors and self-directed retirement accounts.  This well-seasoned transaction Read more

Real Deal #139 – Washington State Land Note

Welcome to Real Deals!  It’s always easier to learn from real life so here we share information from actual owner financed transactions.

A land developer sold 10 to 20 acre tracts of land in Northern Washington State.  Knowing land can be more difficult to finance Read more