Ryan Thomson - Assumable Mortgages Explained, How to Take Over a 2–3% Mortgage in Today’s Market

When mortgage rates jumped in 2022, Ryan Thomson saw a problem. The house hacking strategy that had helped him build his own real estate portfolio was becoming harder for his clients to replicate. That led him to rediscover a financing tool that had largely been forgotten during decades of falling rates: assumable mortgages.

In this episode of the Real Estate Educators Podcast, Kevin Amolsch talks with Ryan, aka “The Assumable Guy,” about how assumable mortgages work and why they could offer an alternative for buyers and real estate investors in a higher-rate environment. Ryan explains how qualifying FHA and VA loans can be transferred from a seller to a buyer, including the existing loan balance, interest rate, and remaining term.

Of course, there’s a catch: the buyer still needs to cover the seller’s equity. Ryan explains the different ways buyers may be able to bridge that gap, including cash, secondary financing, and potentially seller financing. He and Kevin also discuss why the value for investors may go beyond immediate cash flow, with low-rate debt potentially producing significant principal paydown over time.

Ryan also shares his own journey from social work to house hacking, becoming a full-time real estate agent, and eventually building a niche around assumable loans. They discuss how specializing helped Ryan differentiate himself in a crowded real estate industry, why “education plus action” has been central to his success, and how he thinks through fear and risk when making major decisions.

Whether you’re a real estate investor looking for alternative financing strategies, a homebuyer trying to navigate higher mortgage rates, or an agent looking for a way to differentiate yourself, this episode offers an introduction to assumable mortgages and the opportunities Ryan sees in this overlooked corner of real estate.

00:00 – From social work to real estate investing

05:05 – Living for free and cash flowing $1,500/month

09:25 – What is an assumable mortgage?

15:05 – Do assumable mortgages cash flow for investors?

18:25 – Assumable mortgages vs. subject-to deals

20:05 – Finding properties with assumable FHA & VA loans

26:40 – Expanding the assumable mortgage strategy