There are a lot of pre-foreclosure houses available on the market, many that have excellent investment potential. However, like with any investment, there are some risks associated with purchasing pre foreclosure houses. By knowing what to look out for and what to avoid, investors can reduce the risk of having what looks like a great investment turn into a liability.
The key concepts to keep in mind when buying pre-foreclosure houses and properties include:
• Location – no matter how good of a deal you may get on pre-foreclosure houses or properties, if they are in remote areas or in neighborhoods that are traditionally hard to sell, they are not really a bargain. If you can afford to hold on to the property for a longer period of time and have reason to expect the area will transition into a desirable neighborhood due to new expansions, subdivisions, shopping centers or other attractions location is not as critical. In some cases the pre-foreclosure properties are located in other high pre-foreclosure areas, which means the area will be saturated with investors trying to sell homes they have purchased. This will make resale options less and will also decrease the profit you will make on the property.
• Condition – some pre-foreclosure houses will be maintained in excellent condition, but generally expect some type of repairs. Since the homeowners have been financially strapped, they are less likely to have painted, upgraded or added to the value of the property, especially if they knew they were heading for a foreclosure. In some cases the owners may have actually contributed to the poor condition of the house, although this is relatively rare.
• Back taxes – in some cases pre-foreclosed houses and properties will also have large amounts of back taxes that need to be cleared up in conjunction with the transfer of the title. This can add thousands of dollars to the cost of the property, so make sure you are aware of any taxes owing or other liens against the property.
• Upgrades – if you are considering pre-foreclosure properties that are older homes, they will need to be upgraded before they can be put on the market as rentals or properties for sale. Often rental properties are only upgraded with new paint and carpet, but a house for sale may need the fixtures changed, flooring upgraded, windows and roof replaced and even the kitchen or bathrooms remodeled. If you can do some or all of the work yourself this can save costs, however it will still take time and money.
If you are new to buying pre foreclosed houses, consider taking a weekend course or completing an online program to help you become aware of both the benefits and the risk to this type of investment.
It is always devastating to families and individuals when they are in default of their mortgage payments and face the possibility of being forced out of their homes. Thankfully there are several refinance pre-foreclosure options that are available for homeowners, depending on their financial standing, credit history and record and the circumstances that led to the home or property mortgage not being paid. Refinance pre-foreclosure methods will also differ slightly from state to state, so always do some research and learn about what your state offers and requires. This will help you discuss refinance pre foreclosure options with your lender from a knowledgeable and informed perspective.
The first step in obtaining information on how to refinance pre-foreclosure property if you are home owner is to talk to someone that is knowledgeable about both your options and your legal rights. A HUD housing counseling agency can be a good first step, as these counselors can provide information on various government programs that may be available in your area. To access these services check your local government website or contact your Veterans Affairs department if you are current or past military and purchased your home with a Veteran's Administration (VA) guaranteed loan.
Refinance pre-foreclosure options may also include an actual modification in your mortgage payment, without the requirement of a full refinance. This can be arranged between the lender and the borrower and typically occurs due to some specific issue such as a loss of income, disability or a change in your income that will not allow you to pay the amount you were previously able to cover. Clear information to the lender as well as a prior good payment history before the pre foreclosure is usually critical in this special situation.
A partial claim refinance pre foreclosure deal can be a true lifesaver for both the borrower and the lender. In this option there are several criteria that may be met, but what actually happens in the lender is able to claim the deficit amount through a no-interest loan directly from HUD (United States Department of Housing and Urban Development). This can only happen if the house or property in not currently in foreclosure but is in default between four and twelve months and the homeowner is able to now make full mortgage payments to the lender at the terms of the original loan.
Typically home owners in looking for refinance pre-foreclosure options may also be able to work through banks or lenders if they have a significant amount of equity built up in the home. In cases where the homes have no equity or negative equity, options will be very limited. Negative equity occurs when there is more owed on the home than the property would bring in if placed on the market.
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