what is a purchase money mortgage 
a purchase money mortgage is a mortgage issued to the borrower by the seller of a home as part of the purchase transaction also known as a seller or owner financing this is usually done in situations where the buyer cannot qualify for a mortgage through traditional lending channels a purchase money mortgage can be used in situations where the buyer is assuming the seller s mortgage and the difference between the balance on the assumed mortgage and the sales price of the property is made up of seller financing the basics of a purchase money mortgagea purchase money mortgage is unlike a traditional mortgage rather than obtaining a mortgage through a bank the buyer provides the seller with a down payment and gives a financing instrument as evidence of the loan the security instrument is typically recorded in public records protecting both parties from future disputes whether the property has an existing mortgage is relevant only if the lender accelerates the loan upon sale due to an alienation clause if the seller has a clear title the buyer and seller agree on an interest rate monthly payment and loan term the buyer pays the seller for the seller s equity on an installment basis types of purchase money mortgagesland contracts do not pass legal title to the buyer but give the buyer equitable title the buyer makes payments to the seller for a set time period after the final payment or a refinance the buyer receives the deed 1a lease purchase agreement means the seller gives the buyer equitable title and leases the property to the buyer after fulfilling the lease purchase agreement the buyer receives the title and credit for part or all of the rental payments toward the purchase price and then typically obtains a loan for paying the seller 2purchase money mortgage benefits for buyerseven if the seller requests a credit report on the buyer the seller s criteria for the buyer s qualifications are typically more flexible than those of conventional lenders buyers may choose from payment options such as interest only fixed rate amortization less than interest or a balloon payment payments may mix or match and interest rates may periodically adjust or remain constant depending on a borrower s needs and seller s discretion down payments are negotiable if a seller requests a larger down payment than the buyer possesses the seller may let the buyer make periodic lump sum payments toward a down payment closing costs are lower as well without an institutional lender there are no loan or discount points or fees for origination processing administration or other categories lenders routinely charge also because buyers are not waiting on lenders for financing buyers may close faster and receive possession earlier than with a conventional loan purchase money mortgage benefits for sellersthe seller may receive full list price or higher for a home when providing a purchase money mortgage the seller may also pay less in taxes on an installment sale 3 payments from the buyer may increase the seller s monthly cash flow providing spendable income sellers may also carry a higher interest rate than in a money market account or other low risk investments 