What Buyers Need to Hear When You Assign via Novation
Set expectations clearly to avoid doubt or mistrust.
Austin Beveridge
Tennessee
, Goliath Teammate
Novations open doors for wholesalers. Instead of being limited to cash buyers, you can market to retail buyers who pay more and often use traditional financing. The upside is huge. The challenge? Retail buyers don’t think like investors, and they’re not used to hearing about creative deal structures.
That means what you say, and how you say it, can make or break the deal. You don’t need to explain every detail of a novation, but you do need to communicate clearly, confidently, and compliantly.
The buyer’s perspective
Retail buyers usually have two things on their mind:
Will I get the home I want without unexpected problems
Can I trust the seller and their agent to get me to closing
They’re not interested in the behind-the-scenes agreement you’ve made with the homeowner. What they care about is whether the deal looks and feels like a normal sale. That’s where your communication comes in.
What you don’t need to say
Before we cover the right language, let’s clear up the wrong approach. Retail buyers don’t need to hear:
That you’re a wholesaler or investor
That the seller agreed to lock in their net while you find a higher price
That you’re making a spread on the deal
Every detail of the novation agreement
Sharing too much investor-language creates confusion and mistrust. The buyer doesn’t need it to make a decision, and it can spook them if they don’t understand.
What you should say
Think of your role as supporting the seller’s agent and keeping the process smooth. Your words should focus on reassurance, clarity, and logistics. Here are safe, effective talking points.
1. Emphasize normalcy
“This property is being sold just like any other home. The seller has agreed to make repairs and updates so it’s move-in ready, and everything will transfer clean at closing.”
2. Reassure about repairs
“All repairs and updates will be completed before closing, so you’ll be walking into a finished home that meets lender requirements.”
3. Highlight transparency
“Any agreements about the work being done are written and will be part of the closing package. Nothing is hidden, and title will make sure everything is in order.”
4. Keep the seller front and center
“The seller will be the one signing the contract and completing the sale. I’m just here to make sure the process goes smoothly.”
These statements keep the focus where it belongs: on the seller, the property, and a clean retail closing.
Scripts for common buyer questions
Retail buyers often ask the same questions, especially when they notice contractors on site or timing changes. Here’s how to answer without over-explaining.
Q: Why are there still repairs going on?
“A few final updates are being handled before closing. Everything will be wrapped up and inspected before your lender signs off.”
Q: Who’s actually selling the home?
“The homeowner is the seller. I’m part of the team helping coordinate repairs and communication so the process moves quickly.”
Q: Will this affect my financing?
“No, the sale is structured to qualify for normal financing. Title and the seller’s agent will make sure your lender has everything they need.”
Q: Why are you involved if you’re not the listing agent?
“I help coordinate the repairs and communication so the seller and their agent can focus on getting you to closing. You’ll be working directly with the seller’s agent on paperwork.”
Simple, direct, and reassuring.
What not to do
Avoid these common mistakes when talking to retail buyers in a novation deal:
Oversharing about investor mechanics or spreads
Promising repairs you can’t guarantee will be finished on time
Trying to act like the seller’s agent when you’re not licensed
Dismissing buyer concerns with vague answers
Remember, buyers want clarity and confidence. If you can’t answer something, point them back to the seller’s agent or the title company.
Why this matters for your bottom line
Every wholesaler knows the fastest way to lose a retail buyer is confusion. If they feel like the deal is unusual, risky, or unclear, they’ll back out.
The right communication prevents that. Clear answers keep buyers calm, agents cooperative, and lenders satisfied. That means your novation closes, and your spread makes it to the table.
Tools that make this easier
Managing a novation often means juggling multiple conversations: sellers, agents, buyers, and contractors. It’s easy to miss a question or delay a response.
Tools like Goliath Data help by automating follow-up, tracking where each deal stands, and making sure no message slips through the cracks. With everything organized, you can focus on saying the right thing instead of digging through texts and emails.
Closing Thoughts
Retail buyers don’t need a lecture about novations. They need reassurance that the deal looks and feels like a standard sale. By focusing on what matters to them, repairs, financing, and a smooth closing, you build confidence and keep your deals alive.
Keep it simple, answer questions directly, and let the seller and their agent stay in the spotlight. Do that, and you’ll wholesale novations without scaring off retail buyers.
If you want to spend less time putting out fires and more time closing spreads, Goliath helps you find motivated sellers and keep every conversation on track.
