Tips On Buying Investment Properties » real estate investment

A Quick Guide On Real Estate Foreclosure

Jason Myers — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 14:04:30 +0000

Real estate foreclosure originally begins with a default in payment made by the borrower. It pertains to a legal procedure which allows a lender to take back the possession on the defaulted property. If payments have been neglected continuously up to half a year then the lender files what is so called Default Notice.

The lender notifies the borrower up to five days to start a reinstatement period. The state will lay down a repayment procedure and repayment sum for the borrower to stop the process of real estate foreclosure. This is called the pre-foreclosure period.

If the loan on default is not properly carried out, a state period for the foreclosure is put in place. A Notice of Sale will be issued to the borrower. This Notice will also be transmitted to the County Recorder's Office where the property is located. It will also be published in the print media. The property is sold during this point to the highest bidder. A deposit will have to be made upfront. The bidder will then obtain the trustee's deed. This enables the borrower to pay the loan on default and ascertain that the credit report does not have a default stated.

Sometimes the mortgage lender himself will take possession. This may be carried out through an agreement with the borrower in the pre-foreclosure period. Generally the lender will prefer to deal the property and recover the loan. The lender will render the essential housekeeping the property may require.

The foreclosing lender arranges the auction and an opening bid. This equals to the borrower's loan balance which is outstanding, accrued interest, attorney fees and any miscellaneous fees involved. If the highest bid is less than the opening bid, the attorney will buy the property on behalf of the lender. In case the opening bid is not duly completed, the property is labeled as real Estate Owned.

Jason Myers is a professional writer and he writes as a hobby about real estate investing. He's also interested in invest in real estate.

Foreclosure and Foreclosed homes

Bill Xysillion — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 15:47:57 +0000

An incredible opportunity for real estate investors is investing in foreclosure. Foreclosed homes repeatedly sell at deep discounts; which provides buyers a straightforward opportunity to profit. Because foreclosed homes are often highly discounted, they can be purchased and sold with a large return. Homes that are facing or have vanished by way of foreclosure often meet the investing goals of both the long term investor and the investor that plans to flip the property.

Profiting From Foreclosure.

Plainly stated, a foreclosed property is one that has been repossessed by the lender for non-disbursement of the mortgage. Since the majority mortgages are collateralized by the actual property, a dwelling that has gone through foreclosure has re-claimed by the bank. There are a lot of things that occur all through this progression, and depending on which status the residence is located, the procedure can actually take numerous months. As a consequence of the difficulty of the process as well as the length and the cost for both the bank and homeowner, there exists and chance for investors to arbitrate and help both parties in the circumstances.

Throughout the period previous to a home is officially repossessed by the bank, the real estate investor may have an opportunity to jump in. Throughout this pre-foreclosure time, the bank is actively taking steps to eject the property owner and take back the house. For the duration of this time, the homeowners are in the situation that they are no longer making payments to the bank and at jeopardy of losing their credit rating, their dwelling, and even their pride. Throughout these periods, an investor can choose to intervene and buy the habitat at a discounted rate from the homeowner. Depending on the situation, the investor could be able to purchase the house for less than is owed on it (short sale) which presents an important occasion.

As mentioned earlier, the pre-foreclosure route may last numerous months. Though, if a resolution is not met involving the bank and property title-holder or a likely investor, the process ends with the bank placing the habitat up for community auction.

The last step in a foreclosed habitat is when the regional sheriff comes to provide the eviction notice and paste the public sale notice on the front door. At that point forward, the dwelling is officially foreclosed.

Although it is much more competitive, when a dwelling is foreclosed upon, it can be bought at a discount at community public sale. During these auctions there are certainly deals to be had. However, it is important to realize that if the least amount bid is not met, the bank that owns the land may opt to get it back. Also, at municipal auction, you are competing with a number of added investors so you could not get as good quality of a deal as you would have previously. All in all though, investing in foreclosed homes can be a large way to profit.

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Bargain Properties

Doc Schmyz — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 15:08:28 +0000

Bargain Properties ? How To Play This Game.

by Doc Schmyz

Home foreclosures and fixer-uppers have long been a focus of many real estate investors looking to make big profits. Of course, if the target property doesn't meet certain criteria, an investor can lose their investment as well as any profit that was to be gained.

A cautious and methodical approach is best in this decision making process. Keeping that in mind, here are some critical area's that must be considered when looking at real estate bargains for investing purposes.

Please Note: The following elements discussed are not listed in any particular order. Nor do they all hold the same value in relation to each other, but they must ALL must be considered in their entirety. The property should meet at least one of the criteria, and should have no unjustifiable issues in any one single area.

Here is the list to used:

KNOW WHY THE PRICE

Most investors focus on price first.

They search for properties they think are selling below market value. This makes sense buy low and sell high right?? However think about the reasons behind the sales price? What is their motivation? Are they relocating or in financial duress? The 3 D's come in to play here most of the time. (Death Divorce, Debt)

Are there problems with the property that will cost a small fortune to fix? Out dated plumbing? Poor electrical wiring? In older houses these problems are VERY common. Don't forget to consider holding costs.

Holding costs are one of the biggest profit killers to investors. Taxes, mortgage, commissions to agents (both selling and buying) gas, and electric...all these things add up...and FAST.

A poor understanding of the current market value is another major deal killer. Remember market value is an educated guess at best. No one really knows until the appraisal is complete.

Price other property in the area. Come as close to the size/style/lot size you are looking at buying.

PAY ATTENTION TO TERMS AND CONDITIONS

What areas can you leverage besides price and location? Financing?

In some cases a full price purchase can allow you to leverage the terms to mean a lower interest rate or smaller down payment.

STUDY THE LOCAL MARKET

Good investors get in the habit of understanding the lay of the land. What is the local community like? Where are the closest fire/police/EMS services? How good are the local schools? Don't rule out these questions. Make sure to look in to the last houses sold in the area as well as any selling trends you can find.

As the Man Said...It is All About Location.

If your shooting for a long term tenet or residence then location is the second most critical thing to look at...however if you have a chance to turn a good profit for a ugly house in a less than 4 star area...that profit might out shine a nice little bungalow on the beach.

FIXER UPPERS AND FORECLOSURES

In the case of a fix and flip and sometimes a foreclosure. It is the job of the investor to factor in the repair costs. A keen eye can save you lots of money in a very short time. (Not to mention a good understanding of home repair work)

Fixer upper properties are a treasure trove to a savvy investor. If you have a good eye for details and can spot maintenance problems you can make a nice return on your investment. Things like a bad roof, poor plumbing or a bad foundation can be very costly to repair. Once you have an idea of what you're looking at for repair cost, do yourself a favor and add a little buffer say 5%...just to be safe.

Know What it is ZONED For

Make sure you research the zoning for the property BEFORE you buy it. If you are thinking of adding a second floor or a granny flat...is the zoning available? Make sure you know before you commit to doing anything that will add or change the square footage of the property.

Think of it this way, what could make you more money...a single small house on the land you just invested in...Or a duplex on the same land? One tenet or two? Zoning is a gift or a curse depending on your plans with the property...makes sure you know before you buy it.

Classic zoning "no-no's" are garages converted to bedrooms. Non-permitted mother in-law apartment and detached garages.

About the Author:

Doc has been a investor since the early 1990's. In 2006 he started a real estate investing information website. He hopes to help other investors by giving them the information on real estate services that will help them

Learn How to Invest in Real Estate the Right Way!

Marty Chavez — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:00:42 +0000

by Marty Chavez

Just turn on the TV or pick up a paper and it's nothing but gloom and doom. Rising unemployment, sinking property values, foreclosure rates skyrocketing, banks going bust, poor earnings by just about every company and the list goes on. Investors are scrambling to find a place to put their money that's safe and provides a decent return. Not an easy job in today's economy.

Real estate investing may be the the answer for investors are looking for. But what are the things needed to get started in this kind of investment opportunity? It's fairly simple but requires some work.

First, you need to be able to quantify the risk associated with a particular property. Real estate is an investment that doesn't only involve a small amount of money but the returns can be equally impressive! This is the reason why it pays to have substantial knowledge when it comes to real estate investment.

How to invest in real estate should also provide you a panoramic view and detail of your investment payments. After a careful perusal and background check of the type of investment you want to get on, it is best that you determine modes of payments such as, private financing, mortgage, loans and the like.

Always use contracts, no handshakes or word of mouth. A lot of people fail on a particular investment because they've fallen short on jotting down plans. When you plan for something especially if it's an investment that is as big as real estate, every step you carry out should be well conformed in your written plan.

How to invest in real estate likewise entails dealing with a trusted and reliable property developer. One that is mindful of the basic principles providing accessible home environments, high quality home and one that forges a legacy of providing families with cost efficient yet high standard shelters.

Make sure you do your homework before making a commitment to an investment. With so much money on the line there are a lot of crooks out there just waiting to sell you some Florida Swampland.

In conclusion, you need to consult legal assistance since you're dealing with a serious matter that greatly involves serious money. Asking a legal counsel to shed some light concerning real estate governing laws is deemed as one of the most excellent steps to formulate.

About the Author:

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Real Estate Investing During Poor Economic Times

Doc Schmyz — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 15:17:16 +0000

by Doc Schmyz

First let's establish a few ground rules for this article.

1) The market has had a down turn before and people still made money.

2) Not every deal will fall into a cookie cutter format.

3) Not every tactic or idea works in EVERY state/province. Check local laws pertaining to real estate transactions.

Ok..now that we understand the rules...lets move forward.

So home values have fallen in your market, this doesn't mean that you, as a real estate investor/professional, are out of luck. It only means you need to add new tools to your real estate investing tool box. (Be warned I use "tool box" a lot.)

Finding and Marketing property

Besides the normal channels of RE agents and brokers (still the best way to find good investments in my opinion) you have a huge amount or resources at your fingertip with the Internet.

You can join website communities for investors, follow blogs, get in on group discussion etc. All of these things can lead to new and interesting deals.

Several investments have come to me via the web. I also have gotten many tips from other investors on investments and financing issues. Never over look the value of belonging to an "investor community website."

I truly feel that in the future the majority of investing will shift to being web related. Not just in finding investment projects but in doing the research for them as well as the funding process and the marketing/exit strategy as well.

Finance

Everyday we are hearing about how the current market and credit crunch is making getting loans harder for everyone. This is currently a fact. No way around it. The loan process has changed. So what options are left?? The answer is several.

Lease options. Assumable loans. Seller financing.

The above mentioned will become the big trends in the next couple of years. I am waiting to see the lenders change the loan guidelines in the next few months to "re introduce" the assumable loan. We are already seeing a HUGE trend in short sales. (This was a practice that was used only in limited capacity in the last 10 years by most lenders now it seems like every other distressed listing is a short sale in some cities.)

Please do not let the current market conditions scare you in to sitting this investment period out. On the contrary use it to inspire you. Take the time to do the research on finance options, look into building a LLC perhaps. Find out about buying real estate with your IRA. Etc, etc.

Buy books. Read investment strategies of the big names in investing. Use the time to educate yourself and above all be creative.

Don't Let Panic Drive You Off with Everyone Else.

About the Author:

Doc Schmyz has worked with investors all over the U.S.. His website gives thousands of investors up to date real estate investing information Get more info from across the U.S. on Doc's real estate investing resources page.

What Is A Safe Real Estate Investment?

Alexandria P. Anderson — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 14:12:47 +0000

by Alexandria P. Anderson

Do you have jitters about putting your money towards a real estate investment? After-all, the media LOVES to talk about what tumultuous times we're in right now. Home prices falling! Buyers beware! Protect yourself!

Never believe anyone that tells you an investment is 100% safe and smart. EVERYTHING that you do with your money has a certain amount of risk involved with it, even if it's just putting bills under your mattress; speaking of which, let's talk about what happens if you do NOTHING with the money you save (e.g., putting it under your mattress). That wouldn't be very smart--fire, flood, theft, etc. could make your money disappear very quickly with no hope for return.

But, you say, what if I put my money in a bank safety-deposit box, won't THAT keep my money safe? Yes, it will keep the physical paper currency safe, but remember that the bills are only worth what the current value of the currency is. Over time the buying power of currency goes down (inflation!).

The annual rate of inflation in the United States hovers around 3% ("things" cost about 3% more every year). That means after one year of sitting in the secure bank box doing nothing, your money is worth 3% less. This wouldn't be called "saving" in my opinion; you're constantly losing purchasing power!

What About a Savings Account?

These accounts are almost always protected by the FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation) so there's not much risk of your bank going under and you losing your money, but again you're swimming upstream against the current of inflation. Even the best savings accounts out there barely give you enough interest to counteract inflation and often times inflation is outpacing your savings account interest earnings; but at least you're not losing AS much!

How About Stocks?

I like to think of investing in stocks as investing in an "idea". You don't hold claim to any tangible item. You only "own" the fact that you have contributed funds to the "idea" that the entity you contributed your money to will somehow add value to itself and subsequently add a gain to the money you started out with.

The danger here is that you wouldn't surely know how much control you have over such an "idea". In real sense, you actually have almost none. Most people remedy this by doing extensive research on the company or entity's track record as well as the people around it (to predict if the "idea" will work for all of you). Unfortunately, it's hard to tell especially if you are unaware of all the factors involved. Unless you have the desired technical preparation (i.e. its your profession, or you devote your time on research), investing in stocks would save you from much greater risk. This leads us now to the best possible option, the real estate.

What primarily distinguishes real estate from the ones mentioned above is its being "tangible" (this presupposes that you can experience it with all your senses: you can see it, touch it, and even improve it.) Likewise, the risk involved as far as losing the physical asset is concerned seemed distant. If it does, there's a wonderful thing called insurance! Can you apply the same in the case of stocks? Your property's value also grows with inflation unlike paper currency so you do not have to worry about your investment losing its purchasing power every year.

Finally, the best thing in real estate is that the return of your investment is intensified! To name a few, you get huge tax breaks, gained equity through renter-paid debt reduction, equity gained through improvements, and many other surprising benefits. Can real estate investment protect your money? While it is true that no investment is a hundred percent safe, with forethought, I can definitely assure you that this is where you'll find the security you're looking for.

About the Author:

About the Author: Alexandria P. Anderson is a Golden Valley Minnesota Real Estate agent that helps people to find and purchase Golden Valley houses in Minnesota.