Real estate investing is a great way to make some extra money and diversify your portfolio. Before you lunge in and purchase your first investment property it is a good idea to have some real estate investing strategies in mind. Savvy real estate investors look for properties that are below market value. A good way to find these is to look at buildings that are foreclosures. Some buildings that have been foreclosed on will be ready to rent or resell immediately at a profit. Other buildings may need renovations or updates in order to sell them. Working with a trusted real estate agent who specializes in foreclosures, knowing what types of real estate you are interested in investing in ahead of time and making the best deal you can is the best way to come out ahead.
Common real estate investment strategies
Before you begin investing in real estate learn the various investment strategies. The most common strategy that real estate investors use is the one that can lead to the most problems. That real estate investing strategy consists of buying properties which the investor believes will soon increase in value due to market-wide appreciation. Although this strategy can be used successfully, it is based on pure speculation and can fail. There are three investment strategies that can be used and are based on facts instead of speculation. The first is known as the bargain purchase. Investors who use the bargain purchase method when choosing a property pay twenty percent less than market value for the property. This allows them to make up to a twenty percent profit using this real estate investing strategy and is a great strategy to use when purchasing foreclosures. The second strategy is known as the increase value strategy. Using this strategy the building would be purchased at current market value. There must be some improvements that could be done within a six month time period that would increase the value of the building by twenty percent for this strategy to be successful. Finally, many real estate investors use the double digit cap rate. The double digit cap rate strategy is used for buildings that have a capitalization rate of ten percent or more. A capitalization rate is the net operating income from the property which is then divided by the purchase price. These are harder to find unless the market is depressed or you are looking into small market niches. Whatever type of real estate investing strategy you choose it is wise to have a real estate agent on your side who can help you make the right decisions and tell you of any new listings, including foreclosures that you may be interested in.
The first step is to find good real estate agents in the area that you are looking to invest in is to look for local real estate agents where you are now and ask them if they know anyone in the area you are thinking of moving to. If that fails, contact the better business bureau or the local convention and visitors bureau. They may be able to tell you which agents in their area have the best reputations. Once you have located several real estate agents that you may want to work with, take the time to meet them in person. Don’t be afraid to ask for references and if you are considering purchasing a foreclosure ask what kind of experience they have in dealing with these types of purchases. If you do not like the answers you receive or are in any way uncomfortable, keep looking. Finding the right real estate agent to help is essential.
If you want to buy foreclosures, look for a knowledgeable agent
No matter how much real estate training someone has invested in if they do not stay up to date on the latest trends, laws and information they may not be the best person to help you. The real estate market is changing. Foreclosures are at record levels and house prices are plummeting. Savvy investors are looking for real estate agents who know the foreclosure market inside and out to help them make good decisions that they can profit on. Look for an agent who specializes in foreclosures. Ask them how they can help you purchase a foreclosed property and then let ask them why that may or may not be to your best advantage. Do some homework on your own to make sure their knowledge is up to date. After all, helping you make the right purchase is what they are being paid to do.
Ask the real estate agent for a listing of foreclosures
Obtaining and reading a listing of properties that have been foreclosed on before you look at any of the properties can have its advantages. Ideally a listing will have a photo of the property as well as any pertinent information about the property. You will know ahead of time what features and amenities the property has. If you are planning to purchase the property strictly as an investment, these features can be strong selling points. Other pertinent information will include the asking price, which usually can be negotiated even on a property that has been foreclosed on. Ask the real estate agents you are considering working with what bank officers, credit union officers and mortgage company officers they work with. There places will want to get rid of any foreclosed properties as quickly as possible. The lot features such as lot size, sewer and utilities should be listed as well as building interior and exterior features. If appliances are going to stay they will be listed as well. Homes that have been foreclosed on will not have a tenant or homeowner there so the real estate listing will be your main source of information.
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