Rather than doing a lease-purchase or lease-option agreement, some real estate investment trainers recommend using a land contract.
What is a land contract? and what does it look like?
A contract for deed (aka installment land contract) is an agreement wherein the buyer makes installment payments towards the purchase of a property. The seller holds legal title to the property as security for payment, while the buyer has equitable title. When the buyer pays the full amount due under the contract, the seller delivers legal title to the buyer.
Equitable title gives the buyer the right to live in the property, improve it, rent it and otherwise enjoy all of the benefits of ownership. However, since the buyer does not have legal title, he cannot use it as collateral for a home equity loan (although in some states, banks will lend against an equitable interest in a contract for deed).
The IRS generally treats a contract for deed as a sale, which means the buyer has the tax benefits of ownership. Thus, the payments of interest that are made by the buyer in possession are deductible as mortgage interest, even though the buyer does not have legal title to the property. A contract for deed seller must report the transaction as an installment sale on form IRS Form 6252. Once sold, the seller cannot claim depreciation or any other tax benefits of the property. If the buyer defaults on the contract and the seller exercises his legal option to reclaim the property, the tax code treats the transaction as a foreclosure.
Keep in mind that I am not an attorney, and investors should always consult their own legal counsel on legal matters. Nevertheless, here is a sample Land Installment Contract that you might want to discuss with your attorney:
LAND INSTALLMENT CONTRACT
This Agreement made and entered into by and between
_____________________________________, hereinafter called the Vendor and
__________________________________, hereinafter called the Vendee. Witnesseth: The Vendor, for
himself, his heirs and assigns, does hereby agree to sell to the Vendee, their
heirs and assigns, the following described real estate
______________________________ together with all appurtenances, rights,
privileges and easements and all buildings and fixtures in their present
condition located upon said property.
1. CONTRACT PRICE, METHOD OF PAYMENT; INTEREST RATE: In consideration whereof, the Vendees agree to
purchase the above described property for the sum of __________________________
Dollars ($____________ ), payable as follows: The sum of
__________________________ Dollars ($____________ ) as down payment at the time
of execution of the within Land Installment Contract, the receipt of which is
hereby acknowledged, leaving principle balance owed by Vendee of
__________________________ Dollars ($____________ ) together with interest on
the unpaid balance payable in consecutive monthly installments of
________________________ Dollars ($____________ ) beginning on the _______ day
of _________________ 20 , and
on the ___________ day of each and every month thereafter until said balance
and interest is paid in full, or until the _______ day of ____________ 20 whichever event occurs first. The
interest on the unpaid balance due hereon shall be __________( %) percent per annum computed monthly, in
accordance with a ______month amortization schedule during the life of this
Contract. Payments shall be credited first to the interest, and the remainder
to the principle or other sums due Vendor. The total amount of this obligation
of both principle and interest, unpaid after making any such application of
payments as herein receipted shall be the interest bearing principle amount of
this obligation for the next succeeding interest computation period. If any
payment is not received within ________________ (_____) days of payment date,
there shall be a late charge of ______________ ( %) percent assessed. The Vendees may pay the
entire purchase price on this contract without prepayment penalty. The monthly
installments shall be payable as directed by the Vendor herein.
2. ENCUMBRANCES:
Said real estate is presently subject to a mortgage and the Vendor shall not
place any mortgage on the premises in excess of the then existing Land
Installment Contract balance without first obtaining the written permission of
the Vendees. In the event the Vendor should become delinquent in payments on
the mortgage, the Vendees may pay the same and credit said payment to the
contract price.
3. EVIDENCE OF TITLE: It not being the custom in this area, the Vendor shall not be
required to provide an abstract or guarantee of title, state-merit of title,
title insurance, or such other evidence of title, but said responsibility shall
rest entirely with the Vendees.
4. RECORDING OF CONTRACT: The Vendor shall only cause a copy of this contract
to be recorded in the_____________ County
Recorder's Office within a period of twenty (20) days after the execution of
this Contract by the parties hereto if the laws of the state of
____________________ require recordation.
5. REAL ESTATE TAXES: Real estate taxes shall be prorated to the date of the closing. When
the real estate taxes become due and payable, the Vendees shall pay same
directly to the ________________________ County Treasurer and provide proof of
payment to the Vendor, or at the Vendor's election. Vendee may be required to
pay 1/12th the annual amount for taxes to Vendor and allow Vendor to pay taxes
when due.
6. INSURANCE AND MAINTENANCE: The Vendees shall keep the premises insured for at
least ______________________ Dollars ($____________ ) against fire and extended
coverage for the benefit of both patties, as their interest may appear, and
provide a copy of the said policy to the Vendor or any mortgagee. Vendor may
elect to collect 1/12th of the annual premium each month and pay for the
insurance policy annually. Vendor herein shall have the right to enter the
premises at least once per year with twenty-four hours notice to Vendees of his
interest to exercise his right. Vendees
shall keep the building in a good state of repair and well painted at the
Vendee's expense and no major additions or alterations shall be made to the
building without the Vendor's permission, which shall not be unreasonably
withheld. At such time as the Vendor inspects the premises and finds that
repairs are necessary Vendor shall request that these repairs be made within
sixty (60) days at the Vendee's expense.
The Vendees have inspected the premises constituting the subject matter of
this Land installment Contract, and no representations have been made to the
Vendee by the Vendor in regard to the condition of said premises; and it is
agreed that the said premises are being sold to the Vendee as the same now
exists and that the Vendor shall have no obligation to do or furnish anything
toward the improvement of said premises.
7. POSSESSION: The
Vendee shall be given possession of the above described premises at Contract execution and shall thereafter have
and hold the same subject to the provisions for default hereinafter set forth.
8. ASSIGNMENT: The Vendees shall not sell, assign, or
pledge their interest in this Land Installment Contract without the Vendor's
written consent.
9. DELIVERY OF DEED: Upon full payment of this contract, Vendor shall issue
a General Warranty deed to the Vendees, free of all encumbrances except as
otherwise set forth.
10. DEFAULT BY VENDEES: If any installment
payment to be made by the Vendee
under the terms of this Land installment Contract is not paid by the Vendee
when due or within one (1) installment thereafter, the entire unpaid balance
shall become due and collectable at the election of the Vendor and the Vendor
shall be entitled to all the remedies provided for by the laws of this state
and/or to do any other remedies and relief now or hereafter provided for by law
to such Vendor; and in the event of the breach of this contract in any other
respect by the Vendee, Vendor shall be entitled to all relief now or
hereinafter provided for by the laws of this state. Waiver by the Vendor of a
default or a number of defaults in the performance hereof by the Vendee shall
not be construed as a waiver of any default, no matter how similar.
11. GENERAL PROVISIONS: There are no known
pending orders issued by any governmental authority with respect to this property
other than these spelled out in the Land Installment Contract prior to closing date for execution of the contract.
It is agreed that this Land
Installment Contract shall be binding upon each of the parties, their
administrators, executors, legal representatives, heirs and assigns.
Witness:
_____________________________________ Vendor:
_________________________________________
Witness:
_____________________________________
Vendor:__________________________________________
Vendee:__________________________________________
Vendee:
__________________________________________
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have set their hands this
_______day of _________________ , 20____.
STATE OF:_______________
COUNTY OF:______________
On this ______day of
_______________, 20____, before me, a Notary Public in and for said county and
state, personally came _______________________
___________________________________________, Vendors, and
___________________________ __________________, Vendees, and acknowledged
before me the signing thereof to be their voluntary act and deed.
WITNESS my official signature and seal on
the day last above mentioned. ___________________________________ Notary
Public
(SEAL) State
of ____________________________
My
Commission Expires: ______________ LICTS
Happy Investing!
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