Most people in the US are aware of the current real estate crisis and the unsettling fact that many people are losing their homes to foreclosure. Before a home is in the process of becoming foreclosed, it is in the pre-foreclosure stage. The pre-foreclosure period can last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, and is considered by many real estate investors as the absolute best time in which to negotiate the purchase of a home.
Many of the ‘for sale by owner’ signs that you see are from owners that are in pre-foreclosure. The bank usually allows the homeowner time in which to try and sell their home before it is foreclosed. This is common because the bank is not in the real estate business and would prefer the current owner sell the home to cut their losses rather then having to seize the home themselves.
Here are many advantages to buying a pre-foreclosed home from a homeowner rather than bidding on a foreclosed home at an auction:
- Pre-foreclosed houses are often cheaper considering as it’s being sold by a home owner that is in a hurry to sell to avoid facing foreclosure and the bad credit that goes along with it.
- You will have the opportunity to ask the home owner questions concerning the home.
- Typically less competition then at a foreclosure auction. Foreclosures attracts more of the mass real estate market then pre-foreclosures do.
- The situation allows for more time to evaluate your finances.
- Auctions can be a skill in itself and many people are not comfortable in that environment.
- You can bring an inspector along with you to inspect a pre-foreclosed home.
- You will be allowed to make a low down payment on a pre-foreclosed house. This is not the case at a foreclosure auction.
As with any house purchase make sure you check for any judgements, or liens against the estate. Bring along someone how is familiar with buying real estate and if possible have the house professional inspected. The risks are comparable to a traditional type of home purchase but with the advantages of foreclosure discounted pricing.
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Due to the recent real estate collapse, many people across the United States are losing their homes to foreclosure. The period of time before the official foreclosure is called pre-foreclosure. Depending on the state the pre-foreclosure period lasts from seven days to a 60 days. Real estate experts know that the pre-foreclosure period is a great time to purchase a home.
Many houses that are ‘for sale by owner’ are houses that are in a period of pre-foreclosure. The lenders sometimes allow the homeowners to try to sell their home before foreclosing it. The banks are not in the real estate business themselves and would rather the owners sell the home instead of (the lenders) having to foreclose it.
Here are several reasons that real estate experts feel it?s a better idea to purchase a home during a pre-closure period instead of waiting to buy a foreclosed home at a government auction:
- Pre-foreclosed houses are often times cheaper considering it?s being sold by a home owner that is in a hurry to sell it before facing foreclosure.
- You will be given good opportunities to ask the home owner questions concerning the home.
- There will probably be less competition for a pre-foreclosed home than a foreclosed home at an auction. You won?t have to worry about placing the highest bid.
- You will be given more time to consider your finances before making the decision to purchase a pre-foreclosed home.
- You will be given more time to access and evaluate your finances before buying a pre-foreclosed home.
- You have more time to have a pre-foreclosed home inspected than you would at an auction. You will be aware of any potential problems the house may have.
- All you?ll need to buy a pre-foreclosed home is a down payment for as low as a few hundred dollars. At a government auction you would need the entire amount in cash.
Always check to make sure that the pre-foreclosed home you?re interested in has no liens or judgements against it. You should also bring along someone to inspect the home for you so you?ll know of any problems it may have. The risks in purchasing a pre-foreclosed home are similar to purchasing a home the traditional way, only a lot less expensive! You can even resell the pre-foreclosed home for more money than you purchased it for.
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The term pre-foreclosure, just like it sounds, means that a property or home is about to go into foreclosure. You can get some great values here, before they are seen by the masses looking for foreclosure deals. Prices are generally directly negotiated with the owner, who is motivated to avoid foreclosure.
Pre-foreclosures properties are increasing in numbers every day. Real estate agents understand that investing in pre-foreclosure homes is definitely one of best ways to secure a profit. The timing couldn’t be better then now to get involved in the real estate game because of the sub-prime crisis and other external difficulties facing home owners today.
Depending on your situation buying a pre-foreclosure home can be an improved method of acquiring property rather then buying at an auction. Auctions more often then not require that you have the necessary cash on hand in order to bid. When buying pre-foreclosure homes, however, you don?t necessarily have to have cash on hand.
In the pre-foreclosure sale, you will personally meet and work directly with the home owner. Although the owner may be distressed about loosing their house, by the time you arrive they may see you as a saviour that can help salvage something before foreclosure.
One of the biggest advantages of purchasing a pre-foreclosure over an auction is that you can inspect the property before it goes into auction. At this point the property owner is still living in the home so obviously you want to call on them and take a look around the house to see what kind of condition it is in. If the owner feels you make be able to help them, they may disclose if there are any internal problems with the house (i.e. water damage, electrical issues, etc.). Also if the owner is co-operative and you have enough time it would be advised to get a property inspection done as well.
Pre-foreclosures provide the opportunity to see what sort of work needs to be done to the premise, and provide you with an idea as to the budget required to do so. You now have much more information then you would before a foreclosure auction to make the right decision of whether or not to purchase.
Hopefully this article articulated some of the advantages that buying pre-foreclosures is a good alternative. All real estate professionals consider this method as one of your best value options when it comes to purchasing a home
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