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What is an Assumable Mortgage?

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

An assumable mortgage is a type of home financing that allows for a new owner to assume the existing mortgage when purchasing a piece of property. This type of transferable mortgage usually includes a specific clause that outlines the requirements that must be met in order for the mortgage transfer from the incumbent owner to the new owner to take place. Here are some facts about the transferred mortgage option, as well as some of the criteria that the new owner must meet in order to quality for an assumable mortgage.

Assumable mortgages usually require that both the seller and the financial entity holding the mortgage to the property both agree that the potential buyer is a good credit risk. For this reason, the buyer will need to be able to demonstrate financial stability, including resources that indicate he or she will be able to make the payments on time. Along with available resources, most finance companies set minimum requirements for current credit ratings before allowing any mortgage to be transferred to a new owner. The idea is to ensure that the debt will continue to be paid until the debt is completely discharged.

With an assumable mortgage, the new buyer can assume the existing mortgage when purchasing the property.
With an assumable mortgage, the new buyer can assume the existing mortgage when purchasing the property.

Part of the advantages for an assumable mortgage is that there is generally a shorter waiting period for approval. Assuming mortgages cuts out some of the red tape that would be involved in starting over with a brand new mortgage. In addition, the seller also has the chance to recover at least the equity that has been paid into the property up to that point in time, while obtaining release for responsibility. The finance company may also benefit as well, especially if the current owner is experiencing financial reverses. Allowing someone who possesses the proper resources and a proven credit record to assume the mortgage means there will be no need to foreclose on the property. The savings in terms of time and money that would be necessary to foreclose, as well as attempt to locate a new buyer, can be significant.

While some lenders are willing to convert a standard mortgage into an assumable mortgage in some cases, this is not a very common occurrence.
While some lenders are willing to convert a standard mortgage into an assumable mortgage in some cases, this is not a very common occurrence.

Not all mortgages are written with an assumable mortgage clause. While some lenders are willing to convert a standard mortgage into an assumable mortgage in some cases, this is not a very common occurrence. Before attempting to market a property as coming with an assumable mortgage, it is a good idea for the current owner to read over the mortgage contract carefully. In addition, the owner should consult with the lender about the criteria that a buyer would have to meet in order to assume the mortgage before putting the property up for sale. This will prevent any chance of a potential buyer receiving inaccurate information about what is and is not required.

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGEEK, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

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Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGEEK, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

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Discussion Comments

anon974857

All FHA and VA mortgages are assumable and there are about 9 million of them across the country. There's no need to check the mortgage documents for these type of loans. They are assumable by Federal law. There's also no mystery about the requirements to assume. The buyer has to pass current credit conditions for whichever type of loan they assume, FHA or VA. These mortgages are not even that hard to find any more with websites that offer searches of homes for sale that have assumable mortgages such as zumption.

Moldova

@Cupcake15 - I agree that is might be a good way to buy a home, but I don’t know of too many assumable mortgage listings out there anymore.

I think that I read that about 25% of homeowners are underwater in their mortgage which makes it difficult to find mortgages worth assuming.

cupcake15

I think that an assumable home mortgage is a good idea if the borrower has excellent credit and they can’t afford the home any longer. The other bonus is that the home usually has equity which means that the person assuming the mortgage will not only make money on the home but may not even have to have a down payment in order to buy the home that has an assumable home mortgage.

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    • With an assumable mortgage, the new buyer can assume the existing mortgage when purchasing the property.
      By: nito
      With an assumable mortgage, the new buyer can assume the existing mortgage when purchasing the property.
    • While some lenders are willing to convert a standard mortgage into an assumable mortgage in some cases, this is not a very common occurrence.
      By: Ghost
      While some lenders are willing to convert a standard mortgage into an assumable mortgage in some cases, this is not a very common occurrence.