A Penny Saved On A Foreclosure

Call it a sign of the times: every day, thousands of homes are being repossessed by banks and sold to the highest bidder. Some of them are real junkers but many of these foreclosure homes are in excellent condition and are priced WAY below market value. With a little patience and the right help - and the guidelines below - you could be well on your way to homeownership for a lot less than you could have imagined a few years ago.

1. Be Ready - Foreclosures are cheap for a reason: banks want to sell them fast. In many cases banks will find buyers within 3 days of their initial listing. If you know you want to buy then be ready with a mortgage preapproval before you start looking; banks will require proof of financing before they will consider your offer, no matter how strong your offer is.

2. The Best Things in Life Are Worth Working For - Sure, some foreclosures are in excellent shape, but if you want a deal of deals, you are going to have to put in some manual labor. Figure out what things cost to replace from reputable, professional sources and look for homes with “good bones.” Finding good structural components should be your primary concern. Countertops and carpeting can always be changed later.

3. Inspect, Inspect, Inspect - Banks will not generally make any representations (or guarantees) about the property you are about to purchase; use some of the money you are saving when buying a foreclosure and get the best professional inspectors you can. A little investment up front can save you a LOT in repairs after purchase.

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. Use A Realtor! A good agent can find great new foreclosed homes that fit your needs as soon as they come on the market and can be an invaluable tool when it comes to negotiations. Agents will be able to help you pinpoint good neighborhoods and potential trouble spots with your house. And since the bank pays the realtor at closing, he or she is free for you!

It is really tough to be a seller right now - you cannot compete with the banks. If, however, you are thinking about buying a property, then there has not been a time like this to buy in decades. With home prices and interest rates at all time lows (but interest rates are rising!), homeownership is easier than it ever will be again for qualified buyers. And, for first time buyers, there is a once in a lifetime opportunity to get the government pay $8,000 towards your new home.
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Posted in: Foreclosure Basics