Plain-English guides

• What is owner financing?

  The seller lets you pay over time instead of getting a new bank loan.

• Risks in plain English

  Balloons, missed payments, and due-on-sale are the three that surprise people.

• What is a balloon payment?

  The monthly payment looks small because a lump sum is waiting.

• Subject-to, without the jargon

  The buyer takes the house. The seller's loan stays in the seller's name.

• Rent-to-own and lease options

  You pay for the right to buy later. You might also pay rent.

• Seller notes and earnouts on a business

  Part of the price depends on how the business does after you buy it.