As a business and real estate attorney who has drafted and reviewed hundreds of Michigan land contracts over the past 12 years, I created this completely free Michigan land contract template specifically for vacant land transactions. Whether you're buying or selling undeveloped acreage, wooded parcels, or buildable lots in Michigan, a properly drafted vacant land purchase agreement Michigan style land contract (also called an installment sale contract) can save you thousands in closing costs while giving both parties clear legal protection.
In this comprehensive guide, I'll give you my battle-tested Michigan land contract form at no cost, explain every section line-by-line, and show you exactly how to fill it out correctly under current 2025 Michigan law. I'll also include the exact IRS citations you'll need for tax reporting and important disclosures required by the State of Michigan.
A Michigan land contract (officially called a “contract for deed” or “installment land contract”) is a seller-financed real estate agreement where the buyer makes payments directly to the seller over time while receiving equitable title. Legal title transfers only after the contract is paid in full. This is extremely popular for vacant land purchase agreement Michigan transactions because:
According to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), over 18% of all non-urban real estate transactions in Michigan now use land contracts – especially in the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula where vacant parcels dominate.
Click here to download the free Michigan land contract form (Word .docx)
Click here for the PDF version (blank land contract form Michigan)
This Michigan land contract template is 100% free for personal or commercial use. Updated for 2025 compliance with MCL 565.356 – 565.361 (Land Contract Disclosure Act) and recent case law.
Always use the exact legal description from the current deed or tax records – not just the street address. Michigan courts have voided contracts for incorrect legal descriptions (see Karpenko v. Leendertsen, 2015).
Clearly state total price, down payment, interest rate, monthly payment, and due date. Example from my template:
| Total Purchase Price: | $85,000.00 |
| Down Payment: | $12,000.00 |
| Amount Financed: | $73,000.00 |
| Interest Rate: | 8.5% per annum |
| Term: | 180 months |
| Monthly Payment: | $718.24 (principal + interest) |
| Balloon Payment (if any): | $0 (fully amortizing) |
Per IRS Publication 537 and Publication 936, buyers may deduct interest paid on land contracts if the property becomes their main home within 24 months. I include this exact disclosure in the template.
Michigan law requires the seller to remain responsible for property taxes until the contract is paid in full unless otherwise agreed (MCL 211.7). Most modern contracts shift this burden to the buyer after closing – my template includes optional escrow language.
Michigan is one of the few states that allows both judicial foreclosure AND summary forfeiture proceedings. My template includes the mandatory 90-day redemption language required after 50% of the contract is paid (MCL 600.5728).
Here's how a real transaction looks using my free template:
Property: 40 acres vacant land, Roscommon County, Parcel 72-012-345-6789
Buyer: John & Jane Smith
Seller: Robert Johnson
Price: $120,000
Down Payment: $20,000 (16.7%)
Financed: $100,000 at 7.5% for 15 years
Monthly Payment: $927.15
First Payment Due: January 1, 2026
Within 20 days of signing, record a Memorandum of Land Contract with the county Register of Deeds (MCL 565.47). This prevents the seller from taking out new mortgages or selling the property to someone else. Recording fee is usually $30-$50.
Is a land contract the same as rent-to-own?
No. In a land contract, the buyer gets equitable title immediately and builds equity with every payment.
Can I sell a property that's already on a land contract?
Yes, but only with buyer consent or by assigning your seller interest.
Do I need an attorney to use this free Michigan land contract template?
While the template is attorney-drafted and compliant, this is not legal advice. Always consult a licensed Michigan real estate attorney for your specific situation.
Important Legal Notice: This free land contract form Michigan template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change frequently. While I update this template annually, you should consult a licensed Michigan attorney and title company before using any real estate contract. The author and website assume no liability for any use or misuse of this document.
Ready to move forward? Download your free Michigan land contract forms below and close your vacant land deal confidently.
DOWNLOAD WORD VERSION (.docx) – FREE
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