Land Contract: Definition, Benefits, Risks
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What Is A Land Contract?
A land contract, also called a land contract agreement or purchase and sale agreement, is a legally-binding document used in the purchase of land, whether vacant or occupied by existing buildings or homes. It is a type of seller financing. Unlike a mortgage, the purchaser makes payments to the seller until the balance is paid in full.
If you need help drafting a land contract, it is best to speak with real estate lawyers. They can provide legal advice and guidance throughout the process.
Learn more about land contracts by checking out this article.
How Land Contracts Work
Under a land contract agreement, the buyer typically agrees to make a down payment and a promise to make periodic, routine payments on the balance’s remainder with interest. Depending upon the agreement, the monthly payment, term length, and interest rate can vary widely.
It is essential for buyers to keep in mind that they do not legally hold the property title until the balance is paid in full. They hold a deed of trust or equitable title to live on site or develop the property through a ground lease in the interim.
These are the steps involved with buying a property with land contracts:
- Step #1: The property owner agrees to sell and finance a property to a buyer.
- Step #2: The property owner works with real estate lawyers to draft a land contract.
- Step #3: The parties may collectively negotiate the terms and conditions of the land contract.
- Step #3: The property owner keeps the property titles and provides the buyer with a deed of trust.
- Step #4: The buyer continues to make payments according to the terms and conditions of the land contract.
- Step #5: The property owner and buyer clear the title from any applicable mortgages.
- Step #6: The property owner titles the deed over to the buyer when the balance is paid in full.
- Step #7: Both parties should retain documentation of the transaction for at least 7 years following it.
Some U.S. states use land contracts more often than others do. Both parties are encouraged to carefully consider the terms and conditions of the deal with property lawyers. Doing so may help you avoid future disputes and misunderstandings, primarily when you use a land contract agreement.
Here is an article about how a land contract works.
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Typical Terms in a Land Contract
While the typical terms in a land contract can be reasonably standardized, it is critical that you have real estate lawyers complete a contract review before signing it. This strategy helps you avoid legal mistakes and common pitfalls. Doing so can also help you save money in the long run by avoiding disputes.
These are the typical terms in a land contract:
- Name and address of all parties
- A description of the property
- Acknowledgement of the person who owns the property
- Describe easements on the property
- Include land contract limitations
- Reference any liens on the property
- Provide the property’s terms of use
- Determine the terms of payment
- Assign an interest rate with a land contract calculator
- Ascribe how to handle late payments
- Identify a contract start and end date
- Assign party responsibilities and obligations
- Clarify the terms of the insurance
- Set the terms for transferring the property ownership
- Include warranties and guarantees
- Assert your right to acceleration
- Insert state-specific clauses and terms
- Provide a blank signature and dateline
After legally drafting your document, you can then arrange for a final signing with the buyer. Once signed, take a scan or photograph of the document, and disseminate copies to all relevant parties. You can also make hard photocopies that you can reference later in case disputes arise in the future.
Check out this article later for more information about the terms of a land contract.
Advantages of A Land Contract
Since a land contract is an alternative form of financing, there are advantages and disadvantages of using them. A traditional lender is not involved, which means that the buyer and seller should consider the terms carefully.
The advantages of a land contract include:
- Advantage #1: There is no involvement of a traditional lender
- Advantage #2: The seller gets to flexibly establish the terms and conditions of the sale
- Advantage #3: The buyer can close immediately and counter with terms and conditions to the seller
- Advantage #4: There are no lender requirements, which means that the closing costs are less under a land contract
- Advantage #5: There are tax and income benefits for both the buyer and seller
As you can see, there are distinct advantages of land contracts. However, there are disadvantages that buyers and sellers should also consider. These risks may outweigh the reward depending upon your situation.
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Disadvantages of a Land Contract
The most significant disadvantage of a land contract is the amount of risk both parties take on. Therefore, it is critical for buyers to carefully select sellers and vice versa. Any concerns should be taken up with property lawyers in your state.
The disadvantages of a land contract include:
- Disadvantage #1: The title does not automatically pass to the purchaser in a land contract
- Disadvantage #2: The seller could be held legally responsible for inspection issues with local or state authorities
- Disadvantage #3: Forfeiture of a land contract by the purchaser is a fairly common occurrence
- Disadvantage #4: It can take several months for the seller to resume control of the property in case of buyer forfeiture
- Disadvantage #5: An existing mortgage supersedes a land contract, which can create problems for the buyer
If you are considering or contemplating buying or selling land through a land contract, real estate lawyers can help you draft a land contract agreement that sets clear guidelines and terms. They can also answer legal questions throughout the entire process.
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Getting Help With A Land Contract
Whether you are facing a complicated or straightforward land contract deal, it is a wise choice to hire property lawyers to draft the agreement. Problems can arise at any given point. You will want to have an experienced legal professional on your side to help prevent them.
These are the ways that property lawyers can help you with getting a land contract:
- Offering professional contract reviews for fairness and compliance
- Providing legal advice when dealing with complicated land contract issues
- Assisting sellers when dealing with liens and title searches
- Handling a proper and lawful closing for both sides
- Contract negotiation for the conditions and terms of the land contract
- Preparing a closing statement for both parties
Property lawyers offer valuable advice and assistance when purchasing land or property through a land contract. They can also handle pressing questions related to costs or disputes.
If you choose to forgo your opportunity to work with property lawyers, it could result in future legal mistakes with negative ramifications. Avoid this critical mistake by hiring legal representation early on in the process.
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ContractsCounsel is not a law firm, and this post should not be considered and does not contain legal advice. To ensure the information and advice in this post are correct, sufficient, and appropriate for your situation, please consult a licensed attorney. Also, using or accessing ContractsCounsel's site does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and ContractsCounsel.
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Meet some of our Land Contract Lawyers
Dimitry K.
Prior to becoming an attorney, Mr. Dimitry Alexander Kaplun had been involved with many industries and professions, and helped manage, create, and advise a wide range of businesses around the world. While at Drexel University as a computer science major, he became an NASD licensed representative and was employed by Fortune 100 insurance companies, including Prudential, AIG, and NY Life, first specializing in financial investments for life and annuity products, and then expanding his expertise to mutual finds, stocks, environmental insurance, and real property. Due to his technical expertise and a clear understanding of business rules, he was soon brought on board to help assist those companies with coding their interface for the Y2K switch. Soon after switching his major to business, Mr. Kaplun worked for a telecommunication service company first in quality assurance and then as a database programmer and developer, with sole and exclusive responsibilities for a multitude of warehouses located around the continental United States. Working on-site and from the company headquarters, he was responsible for streamlining processes for internal departments while fulfilling the quickly changing needs to the company clients, most notably Verizon Wireless. Mr. Kaplun opened his practice in 2008. Prior to starting his practice, he worked as a paralegal instructor for Prism Career Institute, creating the lesson plans for the whole program and focusing his instruction on substantive and procedural laws for general practitioners. Mr. Kaplun also worked as an associate for The Law Office of Keith Owen Campbell PC, focusing on Family and Matrimonial Law, and assisted the law firm of Jeffrey Neu and Associates in securities research as well as various contact and sales agreements, mainly online reseller agreements. He currently focuses his energy on representing individuals and companies in liability insulation, contracts and business agreements, and other legal concerns that crop up in the regular operation of doing business.
Heather B.
Heather B.
Delivering proactive and strategic guidance to health and fitness professionals and entities as they scale.
"Heather quickly understood the matter, strengthened the demand letter and issued the final version on firm letterhead. Professional and practical!"
Matt B.
Matt practices law in the areas of commercial finance, contract law, business & corporate law, and residential and commercial real estate (with a particular emphasis on retail shopping centers and office buildings). He has extensive experience in negotiating and structuring complex commercial loan, asset acquisition, asset disposition, leasing and real estate transactions. Matt additionally works on various general matters for clients such as forming LLCs and corporations, preparing various LLC and corporation documents and drafting and reviewing various types of contracts and agreements for clients and providing advice regarding same. Matt provides clients with extensive and timely communication on their matters and ensures that his clients are well represented and highly satisfied with their legal representation and the work product provided. Matt offers all potential clients a free initial consultation to discuss their legal matters prior to engaging his firm to represent them. Prior to opening his law firm Matt worked for many years in the New York City office of a large international law firm where he counseled large multi-national businesses, financial institutions, investment groups and individuals on highly sophisticated business, financial and real estate transactions. Matt provides his clients with diligent legal representation on their matters with a very personal approach.
"Mr Bales is a true professional. Great representation and will use his services again. Jim"
Thomas D.
I graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School. Upon graduation, I went to McDermott, Will & Emery in Chicago and practiced corporate, real estate and tax law. I then joined Godfrey & Kahn where I became a shareholder in the real estate group, head of real estate lending and continued to practice corporate law. At these firms, I received excellent training and represented some of the largest and most innovative clients in the US. After practicing law for 15 years, I founded a real estate development company. I built a multi-million dollar company and developed many significant projects. I sold the company and was recruited for senior positions by two other real estate companies. I continued to hone my legal skills at these companies by negotiating and drafting countless documents for my businesses. The combination of my legal and business experience helps me foster the growth of clients' businesses, solve their problems and guide them through difficult matters.
"There may have been some response items, but otherwise Tom was a nice man who helped me with putting together needed documentation."
Max N.
Oklahoma attorney focused on real estate transactions, quiet title lawsuits, estate planning, probates, business formations, and all contract matters.
"I am so impressed with Max's work ethic, communication, and thoroughness. This is a five-start customer service experience and I look forward to continuing working with him as I grow my out of state investments in the state of Oklahoma (currently based in FL)"
Craig M.
I have been practicing law for more than 7 years in Maine and have owned my law practice, Dirigo Law LLC, since 2020. My practice focuses mostly on Real Estate / Corporate transactions, Wills, Trusts, and Probate matters.
"In our phone conversation, Craig provided options to resolve my title issue"
August 4, 2021
Spencer W.
I’m a New York based attorney with substantial experience in media and art law, corporate structuring and commercial contracts. For the past several years, I have been advising startups and new business on their legal needs, with a special focus on tech and entertainment.
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