Down Payment Assistance
Let us start off by first dispelling the rumor that down payment assistance (DPA) is something for nothing. For commercial projects the down payment may come from a third party but it is in reality funded by the seller. This means it is a creative way to allow the seller to cover the down payment and sometimes even the closing costs. This will allow a real estate investor to purchase an income producing property for little or no money at closing. To make any deal work you first need a motivated owner who is willing to cover the required DPA and the costs associated with it. THE DPA is Seller Funded!!!
Unlike residential programs that the DPA will come from a government entity, bank (for CRA purposes) or a non for profit organization in commercial transactions the seller always funds the assistance. No entity has a financial or other interest to give money to people to purchase multimillion dollar income producing investment property other than the seller.
Seller Funded DPA
Once you have an owner willing to utilize creative financing the assistance in the sell of their property you now have the first requirement for a successful creative transaction. Without a willing seller there are no creative financing deals. As a commercial real estate investor attempting to purchase property using little or none of their own money, your first job is to find that willing and motivated seller. But not only must the they be willing, they must be able. This translates to equity in the investment property. Lots of equity. If you expect to fund a project without using your funds the property should have at least 30% equity. Sure you can do deals with as little as 20% equity, but the options for financing are greatly reduced and the buyer will pay at least the closing costs which would include substantial fees for the DPA.
Given a willing seller and an income producing property with substantial equity, you now have the minimum requirements for a seller funded assistance program.
How the DP Program Works
- Willing Seller
- Property with Substantial equity
- Contract is written for value of the property (seller will receive agreed upon net amount)
- Third Party DPAC sends funds to escrow for closing (from buyer).
- Escrow title company sends DP funds plus fee back to 3rd party company at disbursement of escrow (from seller).
Example:
- PropertyValue: $1,000,000
- Loan amount: $750,000
- Seller to net: $700,000
- Down Payment: $250,000 from 3rd party DPAC
- DPA Fee: $30,000
- Return to DPAC from escrow: $280,000
- Balance for additional closing costs: $20,000
- Net to Seller: $700,000
Finally,
You have an opportunity to purchase property from motivated owners willing to utilize creative financing with seller funded assistance for both the closing costs and the required down payment. This is how the seller funded program works.
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