What is seller rent-back?

In home purchase transactions, there are many times when the buyer and the seller are simply unable to agree upon a specified closing date. The Real Estate Agent involved can negotiate a 'rent back' period that is agreeable to both parties. This means the transaction technically closes, the loan for mortgage financing is funded, and ownership of the property is transferred into the buyer's name. However, the buyer does not take occupancy of the property until several days later. Instead, the buyer sets up a rental agreement in which the property is leased back to the seller for a temporary period that everyone has agreed upon.

While this strategy is fairly common, it is important to make sure the seller is not occupying the property in a lease agreement for more than 30 days* after the close of the purchase transaction. This would constitute a big problem for the new homeowner. After 30 days, the lender would view this as a non-owner occupied purchase, and it would cause the terms of the loan to change radically.