Tuesday, January 14, 2014

The Contract for Deed As a Real Estate Investing Tool

If you're trying to buy a house and can't get financing, you're no doubt frustrated. If you're trying to sell your house and can't get a buyer that can get financing, then you're just as frustrated. Which is why the Contract for Deed (hereafter known as CFD), is the perfect tool for both buyers and sellers to get the job done.

The CFD, also known as: land contract, installment agreement, agreement for deed, is a great real estate investing tool. Like any tool, you must first learn how to use it, after all a hammer in the hand of a toddler is dangerous, while a hammer in the hand of a master craftsman is a beautiful thing. It is the same way with the CFD.

You see a CFD can help individuals with credit or employment problems acquire a home. If you want to purchase a home using a CFD here's what you typically need:

    A down payment, the amount varies
    Knowledge on the proper use of the contracts
    Research skills
    People skills, mainly know how to communicate effectively
    Negotiation skills

The CFD can be used to buy or sell a home and the home may be used as an investment property. You can rent the home, live in the home or simply sell your interest in the home. Some people prefer a lease option, but I feel as though the CFD is more powerful, because you're not renting to own the property, you're buying the deed to the property.

CFDs can also be used to acquire commercial real estate, apartment buildings, vacant lots, land or other types of real estate. By now you've probably came to the conclusion that CFDs are a powerful investing tool and you're right!

Where Do You Find CFDs

CFDs are all around you. Every time you see a "For Sale By Owner" sign, that could be a potential CFD. You can advertise for a CFD, you could research the land records in the county you reside in, or any county for that matter. By simply asking around, you may find one, but you have to be on the lookout, they don't just plop into your lap.

There's really so much to learn when it comes to Contract for Deeds that one article isn't going to teach you all you need to know, however this article is a good start. The important thing to remember is that the CFD is a powerful real estate investing tool.