Seller responsibility
Not all of the installment contract’s burdens are solely on the buyer. The seller must also meet certain obligations or face a substantial lawsuit.
The seller is normally responsible for paying the real estate taxes on the subject property. If the seller currently has a mortgage on the property, the payments must be made on a timely, responsible manner.
The seller may refinance or add additional mortgage liens on the property, as long as they do not unfairly restrict the buyer’s rights as outlined in the installment contract. Regardless of how the seller manipulates the property’s title, the seller must provide a clear and marketable title once the buyer exercises the contractual right to complete the purchase.