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by Jeff Beaubien

I am frequently asked, "Jeff, is there anything you can do to help me sell my home? It's been on the market for a long time and there just isn't any interest in it." My answer to that question is a resounding YES! But only if you would also like to sell it for your full asking price (who wouldn't?).

I often see homes while driving through my neighborhood that have been for sale for a long period of time. These are either homes for sale by a Realtor or for sale by owner. Every time I drive by I am tempted to pull into their driveway, knock on their front door, and ask the seller if they would be interested in selling their house for full price within a matter of weeks - and I actually DO that.

You would be amazed at the responses I get. People look at me like I just beamed down from my mothership ready to take them away to my home planet of Gargon X.

After I've explained to them in great detail exactly how I can guarantee success in a short period of time, they are all ears.

More importantly, when I've PROVEN to them how quick and easy it is to use the lease purchase contract to sell their home, they are believers for life. One of my clients even sends me a new fancy pen every year during the holidays. I love this business.

Okay, down to the nuts and bolts.

If you are interested in selling your home for top dollar in a short amount of time, listen up. The lease purchase contract will not work for every home seller. There is only one type of seller who it will not work for; those who need large amounts of cash up front. This is what I mean by "large amounts of cash up front"; if you can live with $5,000 to $20,000 cash up front and wait for the rest of your profit for a period of 6 to 12 months, the lease purchase contract is right for you.

Think about this... your home has been on the market for 6 months with no bites. You are frustrated so you decide to change your terms a little which opens your doors to the largest market of eager buyers anywhere. Along comes Bob the Buyer who is self employed. He was turned down by XYZ mortgage company because they said he needed to be self-employed for at lease 6 more months. Bob the Buyer pays all of his bills on time, makes a great income, and is very responsible - but he can't get a mortgage to save his life. Bob the Buyer is dumfounded at his predicament.

Bob sees your ad in the paper and calls you to make an appointment to come see your house. He loves it! Since you are flexible on your terms and are offering value, Bob is willing to pay you full price for your home. He is able to put $5,000 down, pay you more money per month than your mortgage costs you, and agrees to buy the home from you in 6 months. You draw up the paperwork, get the cash, and close the deal.

Now you've got a nonrefundable option deposit of $5,000, a positive monthly cash flow, a written sales agreement for full price on your home in 6 months, you maintain your tax shelter by remaining on the deed, and there will be no maintenance or landlording since Bob will take care of the home as if it was his own!

You might be wondering, what if Bob decides not to buy the home? GREAT! I love it when that happens. You get to keep Bob's $5,000 option deposit and you get to put your home back on the market so you can collect another large option deposit - and maybe even increase your sales price!

And don't forget, when you sell your home yourself, you save 6% - 10% in real estate commissions. This adds up to thousands of dollars in savings. You can't lose!

I do this all the time and so can you.