February 9, 2012

What to Look for in Real Estate Foreclosures

real estate foreclosures
Cheryline Lawson asked:


With the real estate market at present experiencing one of its worst years in history and foreclosures occurring almost daily in most states, there are still many persons interested in invested in real estate foreclosures.

This is so because real estate foreclosures can usually be bought at well below market prices making them very attractive to investors. If you are interested in investing in real estate foreclosures then you should approach it with some degree of caution and spend some time making sure you are investing in a property that is likely to earn you some money.

There are a few things you should watch for when looking about locating the right real estate foreclosure to invest in. You can start off by seeking out real estate foreclosures that are low cost. You can find these at foreclosure auctions since that is where most foreclosures are being sold. A good real estate agent should be able to give you information on where and when auctions are being held.

There are also a number of lending institutions that are reselling properties on the mainstream real estate market and at reduced prices. There are other places you should look for real estate foreclosure properties such as on the Internet, where you can find listings for hundreds of real estate foreclosures. You should also pay a visit to your local county clerk offices or look through the classifieds in your local newspaper. Another simple way is to watch out for foreclosure signs in and around your neighbourhood. You may just see a property that you like.

After you have gone through the different sources you should have found a number of properties that you are interested in. Make sure that you have physically seen the properties yourself so that you can determine whether or not they are worthwhile properties to invest in. Too many investors do not know the status of the property they are buying and then they find out that it needs a lot of repairs costing them tons of money.

Buying a property that is out of town is not a good idea if you don’t have someone to manage the property for you or provide information necessary to make that purchase. Before you purchase real estate foreclosures, be aware of the potential repair costs that are associated with the real estate in question, as this will affect what you will be willing to pay for it. If you decide to purchase a property that is in need of repairs, make sure it is one that needs minor repairs so as to keep your expenses down to a minimum.

Money is made in real estate foreclosures through the selling or renting of the property. For this reason your property must be appealing to prospective buyers and renters. Therefore you must look through the property to make sure it is in a condition that is acceptable. Another important thing to consider is whether it is in an area where buyers and renters will want to come to. Be sure you are satisfied with the property and its location because chances are if you are not, then the buyer or renter will not be either.



Real Estate Postcard Marketing – Does it Still Work?

Every once in a while, a real estate agent will email me with some form of this question: “Do real estate postcards still work?” Because they use the word “still,” I have to assume they feel real estate postcard marketing was more effective in the past than it is today. I usually respond in a way that is cryptic at first but makes sense eventually.

I tell them that bad real estate postcards don’t work today, and they didn’t work ten years ago. But good real estate postcards work as well today as they always have. You see, the medium itself hasn’t become any less effective over the years … just the people behind the medium. Many real estate agents have not adjusted their postcard marketing approach to keep up with the times. Trust me on this one — I worked in the real estate postcard industry. [Read more...]

5 Tricks to Real Estate Investing

Real estate investing is one of the most attractive ways of making good money that is also a lot of fun.Real estate investing is really an art and, like any art, it takes time to master. The key, of course, is to buy at a lower price and sell at higher price and make a profit.

Here is a list of tricks that can make real estate investing profitable for you:

1) Look for public auctions, divorce settlements and foreclosures (bank/FHA/VA): Since quick settlement is the preference here (and not price), you might get a property at a price that is much lower than the prevailing market rate. You can then make arrangements to sell it at the market rate over a short period of time. However, make sure that the property is worth the price you are paying.

2) Looking for old listings: The old listings that are still unsold may provide you with good real estate investing opportunities. Just get hold of an old newspaper and call up the sellers. They might have given up hope of selling that property at all and with a bit of negotiation you can get the property for a real low price.
3) House flipping: A really old (and dirty) looking house may scare off buyers. But this might be your chance for real estate investing that can yield good profits if you take the time to fix the property. You can get these at very low prices and make a big profit in a short time.

4) Team up with attorneys: There are a number of attorneys who handle property sales on behalf of sellers or in special circumstances (like the death of the property owner). They might sometimes be looking to dispose off the property rather quickly and hence at a low price. Be the first one to grab such real estate investing opportunities and enjoy the profits.

5) Keep tab on the newspaper announcements: Property sell offs due to deaths, divorce settlements, immediate cash requirements and other reason are frequently announced in local papers. Keep track of such real estate investing avenues.