Missouri Contract Deed

In the first instance, if your deed is not recorded, there is nothing in the public record to stop the seller from conveying the property to another person.The second situation could happen if your seller fails to pay his or her debts and the seller's creditors file liens or judgments against your property.

This means that if you default and can?t make your payments, you lose the property and all of the money you have already paid into it (often including repairs and improvements). Unlike a traditional mortgage, a defaulting buyer in a contact for deed may only have 30-60 days to cure the default or move out.

A disadvantage to the seller is that a contract for deed is frequently characterized by a low down payment and the purchase price is paid in installments instead of one lump sum.The legal fees and time frame for this process will be more extensive than a standard Power of Sale foreclosure.

Contrary to normal expectations, the Deed DOES NOT have to be recorded to be effective or to show delivery, and because of that, the Deed DOES NOT have to be signed in front of a Notary Public. However, if you plan to record it, then it does have to be notarized as that is a County Recorder requirement.

Other benefits include: no loan qualifying, low or flexible down payment, favorable interest rates and flexible terms, and a quicker settlement. The biggest risk when buying a home contract for deed is that you really don?t have a legal claim to the property until you have paid off the entire purchase price.

The buyer should record the contract for deed with the county recorder where the land is located and does so normally within four months after the contract is signed, though the time may vary depending on state law.

Failure to record a deed effectively makes it impossible for the public to know about the transfer of a property. That means the legal owner of the property appears to be someone other than the buyer, a situation that can generate serious ramifications.

A contract for deed is a legal agreement for the sale of property in which a buyer takes possession and makes payments directly to the seller, but the seller holds the title until the full payment is made.

Purchase price. Down payment. Interest rate. Number of monthly installments. Responsibilities of the buyer and seller. Legal remedies for the seller if the buyer does not make payments.