Selling
Your Low Rate Is Worth Money
By David Golovin · September 6, 2026 · 3 min read
If you locked a rate under 4% and your loan is FHA or VA, you own something most sellers don’t: a loan the buyer can keep. Priced and marketed right, it is your best selling feature.
Why buyers will pay attention
The payment gap does the selling for you. A buyer assuming a 2.75% loan instead of financing at today’s rates can save hundreds of dollars a month on the same house. That widens your buyer pool to people who were priced out at current rates, and it makes your home stand out without cutting the price.
Show buyers the numbers
Sellers can get their listing verified on Roots. Verified listings show a confirmed rate and balance on the card. Non-verified listings show estimates based on public data. Either way, a listing that shows the payment up front gets more attention than one that says “ask about assumable.”
What buyers will ask
Expect three questions: what is the rate, what is the remaining balance, and how long does the assumption take. Have your latest mortgage statement ready, and expect a 60 to 120 day close while the servicer processes the assumption. Roots coordinates that process, and our assumption closings average about 43 days.
The downpayment gap works for you
The buyer covers the difference between your sale price and the loan balance. The more equity you have, the larger that gap, which shrinks the pool of buyers who can bring the cash. If your equity is large, ask about options like secondary financing that can widen the pool again.
FAQ
How do I know if my loan is assumable?
FHA, VA, and USDA loans are assumable. Check your closing documents or your monthly statement for the loan type, or ask your servicer directly. Roots also has a lookup tool that can identify if your loan is assumable.
Check your loan with the Roots lookup toolDoes the buyer take over my exact rate and balance?
Yes. The buyer assumes the remaining balance at your existing rate and term, subject to lender approval. They cover the difference between the sale price and the balance as their downpayment.
What happens to my VA entitlement if a civilian assumes my loan?
Your entitlement generally stays tied to the loan until it is paid off, unless the buyer is an eligible veteran who substitutes their own entitlement. Use our VA entitlement calculator to see how much entitlement you would have left for your next home.
Try the VA entitlement calculatorHow does Roots help me sell an assumable home?
Roots markets your home by displaying the rate, balance, and loan details, markets the assumable payment to buyers, and coordinates the assumption through closing.