There is no question – now is the time to buy a house. Foreclosures are at an all-time high and their presence in the many markets creates a feeding frenzy every time a new one comes up for sale. These homes are listed in every section of the market and are often in very good shape structurally; some only need light cosmetics (think paint and carpet). Like anything in life, it pays to be prepared. Here are some tips to make your experience as profitable as possible.
1. Be Ready – Know Your Marketplace. Most foreclosures sell in 3 days or less so spend some time with your Realtor getting to know your target area. If you know the comps before a foreclosure hits the area, you will be prepared to act quickly and trump any other competitive buyers. Have a pre-approval ready and waiting to roll so there is no hesitation. If you wait, you might lose the deal before it even gets off the ground.
2. Get Out Your Elbow Grease – It is totally possible to buy foreclosures that are in mint condition but they usually fetch higher prices than their “handyman special” neighbors. If you want the bargain basement top-notch deal on a property, be ready to get your hands dirty!
3. Know Your House Inside and Out – The whole idea behind buying a foreclosure is to save money, right? Then spend a little extra up front – on the home inspection. Banks make no representations (or guarantees) about the properties they sell and they are not liable for repairs after closing. Get the best inspector you can afford and look for things that might be costly trouble down the road. To save money, do your due diligence.
4. Be Prepared To Pay Close to Full Asking Price – In some of the hotter foreclosure markets (Florida, for example) banks are not willing to negotiate much on great houses. They price them at 60%-80% of fair market value up front in order to sell quickly and, if you waste time nickel-and-diming the bank, someone else is likely to purchase the home you like. This is especially true of new foreclosure listings.
5. A Realtor Will Do You A World Of Good – Agents spend lots of time combing the market for good deals. Good ones know their marketplace intimately and have often worked closely with many of your future neighbors. Use their experience to help you find the best deal possible. They will have the objective, professional eye you need to spot resale potential before you purchase. This single choice will save you thousands down the road – and agents usually charge buyers nothing to work with them!
Opportunity knocks but you still have to open the door. Real estate is historically among the safest investments in the country and 60% of America’s wealth comes from the housing market. Interest rates are historically low but are creeping upward again and prices appear to have leveled in many markets.
Alex Krumm is a realtor living in spectacular Sarasota, Florida and a partner in Sarasota Property Group. Be sure to visit the most useful and innovative Property Search Tool in the world, Brand New and Astounding!
Tags: bank foreclosures, Condominiums, family, Florida homes, Florida houses, Florida real estate property, Foreclosure/Repossession, foreclosures, General Real Estate Tips, Homes, Houses, investments, realtors