I’m planning to buy an investment property pretty soon and I want to know what the best course of action is in order to achive such a goal. Any good Ideas?
A foreclosure occurs when a buyer defaults on his or her loan payments, often as a result of bankruptcy or other hard times. As the real estate market has heated up, so has the market for Web sites and other clearinghouses offering to help people find quality foreclosed properties. But beware of the hype; foreclosures are out there, but to get the pick of the litter, you need to build relationships first. Another myth about foreclosures is that they are offered at 40, 50 or 60 percent below market rates. This is simply not true. Lenders–who own and oversee the sale of the property–know that foreclosed properties are a hot commodity on the real estate market and will not sell them for less than they are worth. In reality, 5 percent to 10 percent below market price is the norm. One piece of good news, however: foreclosures can be found in all types of neighborhoods. When times get tough, foreclosures happen everywhere. You may be surprised at the number of foreclosed homes found in affluent neighborhoods. Buying a Foreclosure There are three primary ways to buy a foreclosure property: • Attend a public or private foreclosure auction. You will usually get a chance to inspect the property first this way. • Buy a preforeclosure, which allows limited review time and requires a buyer to take on the mortgage and any other outstanding debts on the property. • Buy a real-estate-owned (REO) property that the bank has purchased at auction. Research First, Then Build Your Contacts As discussed in previous chapters, it is important to invest in your own neighborhood. That is why it is best to learn how the foreclosure process works among lenders in your neighborhood. Lenders have different methods by which they pursue foreclosures, but when the decision is made, they will file a notice of default (also called a lis pendens) with the clerk of the appropriate local court that handles foreclosure issues. This document is a public record available for anyone to see, and it gives notice to the borrower that there is a claim on the property. Your local newspaper may publish new filings.