Posts Tagged ‘real estate investments’
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.
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