Failed "Contract for Deed" Arrangements Leave Ozark Homeowners Facing The Boot
The deals reportedly involved a sale to the families using a "contract for deed" arrangement, where the seller pockets an upfront downpayment, and the families agreed to pay the balance in periodic payments over time. As the seller collects these payments, the money is applied to the payments due on an existing mortgage which encumbers the subject home. When the agreed upon payment plan is completed, the homebuyers obtain the legal title to the home.
In this case, it is reported that, at some point, whoever was receiving the periodic payments made by the innocent homebuyers stopped applying the funds to the existing mortgage, triggering foreclosure, and leaving the homebuyers feeling like they just had the rug pulled out from under them.
For the story, see Ozarks Homeowners Lose Homes They Never Really Owned.
For story updates, see:
- Springfield Business Journal: Disgruntled Greenleaf investors want answers,
- Springfield Business Journal: Foreclosures prompt backlash from The Real Estate Co.,
- Springfield News-Leader: Homeowners hurt by Greenleaf have option (One resident bypasses company, pays straight to titleholders),
- Springfield News-Leader: 'Excellent credit to bankruptcy' in two years (Iowa couple's lives are in financial ruin after investing in Greenleaf),
- The Morning News (Northwest Arkansas): Home Deal Fails For Centerton Families (at least two dozen local families recently discovered the homes they thought they purchased through the Real Estate Co. of Arkansas actually belong to someone else; financing was arranged through Greenleaf Companies of Springfield, Mo.).
Go here for other posts on Greenleaf Companies and The Real Estate Co.
For more on problems with "Contract for Deed," "Rent To Own", and "Lease / Option" real estate deals, go here and go here. rent to own lease purchase option scams yellowstone
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