A land contract is a written legal contract used to purchase real estate; it is typically used in owner/seller financing. Once recorded it (shall have the same force and effect, as to subsequent encumbrancers and purchasers, as the recording of deeds and mortgages as now provided by law.) (565.354 section 4)

565.358 Land contract mortgage; document; form; execution, acknowledgement, and
recording; identification of encumbered interest; perfection of mortgage; priority.
Sec. 8.
(1) Any document that would be sufficient to constitute a real estate mortgage upon an interest in
real property shall constitute a land contract mortgage upon the vendor's or vendee's interest.
(2) A land contract mortgage shall be in a form and shall be executed, acknowledged, and recorded in the same manner as provided for real estate mortgages.
(3) A land contract mortgage need not specifically identify the interest encumbered as a vendor's or vendee's interest.
(4) A land contract mortgage that is recorded in the manner provided for real estate mortgages is perfected for all purposes, without filing, under the uniform commercial code, 1962 PA 172, MCL 440.1101 to 440.11102, any notice to the nonmortgaging vendor or the nonmortgaging vendee or the taking of possession of the original land contract document or otherwise. A land contract mortgage perfected in accordance with this section takes priority as a matter of law over all other mortgages, liens, security, or other interests in such vendor's or vendee's interests except those as to which a real estate mortgage would be subordinate.

565.359 Land contract mortgage; enforcement; foreclosure; additional remedies.
Sec. 9. (1) A land contract mortgage may be enforced in accordance with any existing procedure for the enforcement of a real estate mortgage, including, without limitation, foreclosure by advertisement and judicial foreclosure. Upon completion of a foreclosure by advertisement or judicial foreclosure of a land contract mortgage and the expiration of the applicable redemption period, the successful bidder at foreclosure shall succeed to all of the mortgaged interests of the respective foreclosed vendor or vendee.
(2) Other rights and remedies that may be available to a real estate mortgagee, including, without
limitation, future advance mortgages, assignments of rents, or receiverships may, in a proper case, be applied in favor of a land contract mortgagee.
(3) All remedies that existed before the effective date of sections 6 to 11 shall continue to apply. However, a land contract mortgage made pursuant to this act may, at the option of the land contract mortgagee, also be enforced as provided in this act.

Use this form for vacant land, residential housing, apartments/rental property, small commercial and condominiums.

For a Discharge of Land Contract, see Discharge of Mortgage form.

(Michigan LC Package includes form, guidelines, and completed example) For use in Michigan only.

How to Use This Form

Select your county from the list above
Download the county-specific form
Fill in the required information
Have the document notarized if required
Record with your county recorder's office

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Common Uses for Land Contract

Assign a seller's interest in a land contract to a new party
Provide public notice of a land contract to protect the buyer
Purchase property through an installment payment agreement
Establish a buyer's equitable interest in a property under contract
Create an installment sale agreement for vacant land
Formalize an existing informal land purchase agreement
Sell property to a buyer who does not qualify for traditional financing

Compare other Michigan deed forms and documents

Quitclaim Deed Lady Bird Quitclaim Deed Gift Deed Warranty Deed Special Warranty Deed Grant Deed Correction Deed Easement Deed Termination of Easement Warranty Deed with Enhanced Life Estate Mortgage Secured by Promissory Note Mortgage Subordination Assignment of Mortgage Discharge of Mortgage Partial Discharge of Mortgage Assignment of Leases and Rents Discharge of Assignment of Leases and Rents Memorandum of Land Contract Full Discharge of Memorandum of Contract Durable Power of Attorney Power of Attorney - Seller Power of Attorney - Borrower/Buyer Mineral Deed Mineral Deed with Quitclaim Covenants Personal Representative Deed Notice of Commencement Notice of Furnishing Sworn Statement of Account Claim of Lien Partial Conditional Waiver of Lien Partial Unconditional Waiver of Lien Full Conditional Waiver of Lien Full Unconditional Waiver of Lien Discharge of Lien Disclaimer of Interest Certificate of Trust MCL 700.7913 Lis Pendens Lis Pendens Release

Important: County-Specific Forms

Our land contract forms are specifically formatted for each county in Michigan.

After selecting your county, you'll receive forms that meet all local recording requirements, ensuring your documents will be accepted without delays or rejection fees.

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