Sunday, August 31, 2008

Bank Owned Foreclosure Research

By Steven McCarthy


Bank owned foreclosure Investing at a real estate auction can be a great deal if you have done your research and know when to stop bidding. On the other hand, if you only half heartedly did the minimum research you could find yourself in a very bad situation real fast. The way to purchase a property at auction is to be the highest bidder, the first time you attend an auction you will realize how quick a process it really is and why you need to be prepared in advance.

With foreclosed homes selling at below market values and interest rates at an all time low, many are looking to invest in the housing market. It is tempting to invest when the market is as attractive as it is now. Where do you find foreclosed homes? Depending on where you live, you may find foreclosure homes fairly easy.

It also depends on the condition on the bank owned property. You will also want to consider the interest rate. Currently interest rates are at record breaking lows. These market conditions are very attractive to investors. There are a number of upscale homes that are going through foreclosure and are selling for at all time lows.

There are also disadvantages to investment properties bought at auction, in my opinion the biggest drawback is you can rarely do an on site inspection of the property to evaluate the cost of repairs accurately. Before bidding on a property you need to make sure it has a clear title by having a title search done, and they can be costly. Also you will need up to ten percent of the purchase price up front. Some minor nuisances are foreclosure investing auctions being postponed or delayed.

Don't get into a bidding war. Expect competition when looking at bank owned properties. Decide the max you are willing to invest prior to making an offer on the property. It is easy to get caught up in the excitement of bidding, but it isn't a deal if you win a bid that is more than you can afford.

This forced some creativity in their listing practices. Some have sought to offer tours through neighborhoods to show listed properties. It sounds silly, but actually it is a great way to get a look and feel of the neighborhood. If there are properties sitting unsold for long periods of time, you may want to stay away.

Don't be afraid to ask questions. You may feel the need to see the property several times before making an offer. There is nothing wrong with that. There are also a vast amount of resources online to help you find foreclosed homes. Some have listings in a database that covers the whole country. This is the most popular way to find property. It is quick and easy. It is a good place to start to narrow down your search to a few properties prior to contacting an agent.

There will be a ton of results available to you. No matter what path you take to find a foreclosed home, be sure to do all your research. Be motivated and organized. This will save you time and money. Don't purchase a property before you have personally inspected it. Some homes have been trashed by angry owners and may not be worth the cost of repairing. You don't want to be stuck with that problem! That's another issue in itself! Move on to find bank owned foreclosure properties that will be profitable.

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