That stigma, Leahy argued, came from a lack of structure. There were no controls, no vetting, no clear standards – just desperate buyers and opportunistic sellers. But now, a mix of economic conditions and professional standardization is making seller financing not just viable, but attractive to a new class of financially qualified borrowers.
“Homeowners are sitting on tremendous equity for the first time – paired with historically low interest rates that we’ve never seen before.”
With most homeowners in major cities locked into mortgage rates below 3.5%, and current market rates hovering above 6.75%, many are unknowingly sitting on a powerful, invisible asset. “Seller financing can now be brought out of the shadows,” said Leahy, adding that sellers can “use their current low interest rate as a strategic advantage – turning it into real value within the transaction itself.”
MORE Seller Financing has positioned itself at the center of this transformation by embedding traditional underwriting into every seller-financed transaction. “We’re the first company to establish a standardized process for seller financing,” Leahy said. “Every buyer should be fully pre-approved before an offer is considered – whether for a conventional, conforming, or even a non-QM loan. Sellers are coached on borrower reserves, credit scores, and potential red flags – empowering them to make informed decisions and evaluate offers with the same confidence and criteria as a traditional lender.
“If we feel that the risk is higher than the seller’s risk tolerance… then we recommend not moving forward with seller financing for the transaction,” he said. “Even if the homebuyer can put 20% down.”