How to find a seller finance deal as a buyer?

Question

Hello,

I am looking to buy land that I can retain as much cash as possible so I can build some short term rental tiny houses on it. I’d like it to have a main house so we can live there. We’re looking to do the whole family compound thing.

I’m seeking distressed buyers to try to do a seller finance deal to potentially put little money down with low payments. I’m also open to 0% USDA land deals.

Basically I need to retain cash for the development of the property and I’m getting ready to send out first round of mailers in my targeted area. I have someone experienced who is helping me but I wanted to ask for more advice.

How do you find these people? Is there a better way than my current approach to achieve our goals?

Thank you in advance :)

Alyssa Marquez · Answer

We’re doing a lot of flipping of distressed property these days. I would approach it the same way - looking for sellers that really have a need to sell and might be creative with payment terms and financing. Things like direct mail, absentee owners, vacant houses, tax-default properties, property requiring cosmetic work are all good places to find those sellers. The bottom line is that the seller has a need to sell and we’ll make the numbers work to buy and rehab the home – take into account the holding and selling costs.

Bryan Coll · Answer

Hi Joseph.

Unfortunately, in the space that you are looking at, there aren't many avenues to find vacant properties other than scraping county records/mailing landowners/calling/messaging them.

I am not from Texas; however, I am aware of people that have multiple acres of vacant land/farm land in my area. Monthly/weekly those land owners get calls/texts/emails from investors looking to pick up properties off market.

There isn't a great way to find these properties/connect with the owners. And build rapport.

Vontay Callahan · Answer

Hey Joseph, great question — and you’re definitely thinking about this the right way if your goal is to conserve cash for the build.

A couple things that might help as you look for seller‑finance land opportunities:

1. Seller‑finance land deals usually come from owners with a specific motivation  
You’ll often find them through:

• Long‑time owners with unused land
• Out‑of‑state owners
• Properties that need cleanup or utilities
• Owners who inherited land and don’t want it
Your mailer strategy is solid — just make sure your list is targeted.

2. Pairing seller financing with future construction financing is common  
A lot of people buy land with flexible terms, then refinance into a construction or DSCR loan once the project is further along.
Keeping cash upfront actually helps you qualify later.

3. Before you buy, make sure the land is lendable  
Lenders usually want:

• Road access
• Utilities or utility feasibility
• Zoning that allows STRs
• A clear path to a certificate of occupancy
This saves you from surprises when you’re ready to build.

4. If you want, I can walk you through what lenders typically look for on land‑plus‑build projects  
That way you can structure your search so you don’t get stuck with land that can’t be financed later.

Happy to help you think through the numbers or the strategy as you narrow down your options.