Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about an owner financed home with My Home Path Now? Check the FAQs below. If you have additional questions, feel free to email us using the button below.
Your Home Buying Questions Answered
We understand buying a home with bad credit can be daunting. Here are answers to some common questions to help ease your concerns.
Can I really own a home with bad credit?
Yes, at My Home Path Now, we focus on your income and stability rather than just your credit score. Our program is designed to help you succeed. There are no banks involved. These are owner financed homes and the process is easy.
How much do I need to put down?
Our flexible options mean you might need less than you think. We’ll work with you to determine a manageable down payment. These range from $1500 – $4000. You can borrow the down payment from family or friends.
The down payment on most properties is around $3,000, which is a nonrefundable deposit that is applied to the purchase price, secures the property for the buyer, and is due at the time of signing the agreement.
By keeping the down payment low, we help buyers overcome one of the biggest hurdles to homeownership and start building equity in their new home with a more manageable financial commitment.
What happens if I don’t qualify?
If you don’t qualify initially, we’ll guide you on steps to improve your eligibility. Our team is committed to helping you achieve homeownership.
What types of homes do you help people purchase?
We assist in purchasing single-family residential homes, all tailored to your needs and budget. These range from 2 bedroom/1 bath homes to 4 bedroom/2 bath homes. What’s most important to us is helping you get into a home you can afford.
Will applying hurt my credit score?
No, our initial application process does not involve a hard credit check, so your credit score remains unaffected.
What background checks do you use?
We will not ask you to undergo any background checks if we don’t think you qualify. Our checks include a standard background, criminal, eviction, and income check. Don’t worry, your credit check will not affect your ability to obtain an owner financed home.
How long will it take to get a home?
If there is a home available that fits your criteria and income ability, it could take less than a week. If our sellers do not have a home currently available, it could take 30-45 days or more.
Who will I be purchasing a home from?
We have sellers who will owner finance a home for you. There are no banks involved and no lengthy process to endure. You are buying direct from a seller.
What is a Land Contract?
A land contract, also known as a contract for deed, is a type of real estate transaction where the buyer agrees to purchase a property from the seller through a series of installment payments.
Unlike a traditional mortgage, where the buyer obtains a loan from a bank to finance the purchase of the property, in a land contract, the seller serves as the lender and the buyer makes monthly payments directly to the seller. The seller retains legal ownership of the property until the buyer has paid the full purchase price.
Once the final payment is made, the seller transfers the deed to the buyer, who then becomes the new owner of the property.
Who is responsible for property taxes and insurance?
We take care of paying the county for property taxes and this charge is included as part of the monthly payment.
Additionally, hazard insurance is purchased by us and reimbursed by the buyer through their monthly recurring payment. It’s important to note that the insurance purchased by us only protects the house itself from damage, but buyers must insure their personal belongings through a renters policy.
What happens before move-in?
The contract for deed program offers clear title properties with no liens to ensure buyers have a worry-free purchase. Although the properties may require TLC, buyers have the freedom to upgrade their home to their own taste and on their own schedule.
Prior to agreeing to purchase, buyers are responsible for inspecting the property and doing their own due diligence for any needed upgrades. The best part is that there are no additional costs beyond the down payment, as we absorb all closing costs for you!
Is this for traditional homebuyers or real estate investors?
The short answer is, both! Our contract for deed program offers a unique opportunity for both traditional homeowners and investors to purchase and have immediate access to properties with a much smaller down payment and without the need for a credit check or background screening.
For traditional homeowners, this program allows them to have full access to their property and the ability to renovate, decorate, and start building equity, with a lower barrier of entry and less stringent underwriting requirements than those of a traditional lender. Instead of paying rent, they can make monthly payments towards ownership of their property, providing a path to building long-term wealth and stability.
For investors, the contract for deed program offers an opportunity to quickly renovate and cash flow their properties with a low down payment and significantly fewer fees and interest points than hard money loans. The monthly payment often allows for a margin from the market rental rate, providing an opportunity to generate monthly cash flow from the investment. Additionally, investors can acquire multiple properties and scale their real estate investment portfolio seamlessly.
You might be a good fit for this program if:
-
You would prefer to put a smaller down payment towards the property instead of the typical 20% down required by an institutional mortgage lender
-
Your credit score or debt-to-income ratio aren’t quite there yet
-
You’re self-employed or just got a new job
-
You would rather put your rental payments towards building equity
-
You want to scale your rental portfolio without tying up too much capital in one deal
Who is responsible for maintenance?
Much like a traditional home sale, all preventative maintenance, repairs, capital expenditures, and updates are the responsibility of the buyer.
How do I pay my monthly payment and will my payment ever change?
As a buyer, your principal and interest monthly payment will never change throughout the life of the loan. It is a fully amortized principal balance with a set interest rate and term. Taxes and insurance are the only variable costs associated with our home buying process.
Buyers enjoy our ACH autopay system because it ensures a convenient and hassle-free payment process. We take care of all the setup prior to move-in and payments are automatically deducted from the buyer’s account each month. This eliminates the stress of paying on time and the worry of missing payments and incurring late fees.
What happens if I miss a payment?
Making timely monthly payments is essential for avoiding late fees and the risk of defaulting on your property. All payments are due on the first of each month. If by the fifth we are unable to process the monthly payment via ACH autopay due to insufficient funds, there will be a 10% late fee added. If we don’t receive your payment by the 15th, we will file an unlawful detainer, which could lead to eviction. It is important to stay up-to-date with your payments to enjoy a smooth and stress-free experience.
What if I want to move out early?
All of our houses purchased using a land contract (contract for deed) are fully amortized over a 30 year period of time to ensure monthly payments are manageable for buyers. If you want to move out before the end of the term, you have 2 options:
-
Pay off the principal balance on the loan by selling or refinancing the property
-
We offer a $750 move out credit which is eligible for buyers who do not want to wait to refinance or sell the property in order to move. To qualify for the move out credit, you just have to have lived in the property for at least 12 months, be current on all payments, and provide us with a 30 day notice.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Checklist for Easy Qualification
Qualification 1
Steady Income - 3x Mo. Payment
You’ll just need monthly income equal to 3 times the monthly payment.
Qualification 2
Small Down Payment
You only need a small down payment, usually between $2000-4000.
Qualification 3
No Evictions in Past 3 Years
You’ll need to demonstrate no recent evictions within the past three years.
Qualification 4
Ability to Maintain Property
You don’t need to be a handyman but you will need to maintain the property.
The Benefits of Owning vs Renting
Why Rent When You Can Own?
Discover the freedom of owning your own home without the constraints of renting. At My Home Path Now, we believe everyone should have the chance to pursue their homeownership dream. Experience the benefits of building equity and having a place to truly call your own.
Home Ownership
Build Equity
Every payment goes toward your future, not your landlords.
Fixed Payments
Payments stay the same, so you don’t have to worry about rent hikes.
Personalize Your Home
Paint, renovate, and truly make it yours. No landlord restrictions!
Tax Benefits
Potential savings through homeowner tax deductions.
Stability
Never worry about a landlord cancelling a lease or selling the home.
Renting For Life
Build Landlords Wealth
Every payment goes toward your landlords wealth building, not yours.
Rent Increases
Landlord hikes the rent every year.
No Control
Can’t make changes, move walls, and make it your own.
Can't Write Off on Taxes
Miss out on tax benefits of owning a home.
Uncertainty
Move suddenly if your landlord sells or doesn’t renew your lease.
Our 4-Step Process | What to Expect
Step 1
Pre-Qualification
Start by getting pre-qualified so we can match you with available homes that fit your needs. It’s quick, free, and won’t impact your credit score.
Step 2
Property Tour
After pre-qualification, we’ll arrange a tour for you to explore the property and decide if it aligns with your homeownership goals.
Step 3
Secure Your Home
Once you’ve chosen your home, all it takes is a down payment, a signed agreement, and transitioning utilities into your name to secure your new home.
Step 4
Move In
Congratulations! You’re now ready to get the keys & make your home your own—decorating, renovating, & enjoying the space however you like.
hello@myhomepathnow.com
Phone
(810) 286-8630
MyHomePathNow.com
At My Home Path Now, we offer a solution designed for today’s tough market. Whether you’re facing down payment challenges or navigating tight financial constraints, we help make homeownership a reality.