Archive for the 'General' Category

ABC’s of Foreclosure – “As Is”

Friday, October 10th, 2008

It can only be considered natural for home buyers and investors to consider the purchase of foreclosure properties. After all, these repossessed homes offer better return potential because of their relatively-cheaper selling prices. And with the large inventory of foreclosures for sale as well as continuing decline in home prices, it is not surprising that buyers are flocking to foreclosure auctions.

If you are also contemplating the purchase of a foreclosure home, whether for business or personal use, it is important that you understand that these distressed properties are sold “as is”.

Since foreclosure homes are repossessed by lenders due to mortgage default, you can assume that the original homeowner was experiencing financial difficulties and could not properly maintain the property. Thus, you can expect that most of these homes require some form of repair work.

Once the property has been foreclosed, you should not expect the mortgage lenders to repair or renovate the property because of the losses they have already incurred. Aside from the mortgage debt owed to them, they have also spent a considerable sum for the foreclosure filing.

Despite selling the property in its present condition, the lenders only base their asking prices on the loan amount owed them plus the foreclosure cost. Therefore, you can expect these foreclosure homes to be more affordable than most existing homes for sale.

Other lenders even offer more discounts and incentives because they are trying to avoid higher holding costs that include taxes and insurances. Aside from this, the tough competition in the market has created more reason for lenders to lower their list prices.

When buying foreclosure houses, you should always remember the “as is” condition of the property and have an idea how much it will cost you to make the property habitable. In this instance, hiring a professional inspector will give you a realistic estimate of how much you will need for repairs. With the repair costs in mind, make sure that you are still working within your budget.

Buyers Caught in the Lending Freeze

Tuesday, October 7th, 2008

In an effort to save the flailing financial industry, the Senate has decided to give its nod to the revised $700 billion bailout plan. Although it was initially rejected in the House, it will be presented once again for final approval. The said bailout program involves the purchase of bad assets from private financial institutions, most of which are mortgage-related.

Buyers Caught in the Lending Freeze

If this bailout plan is finally approved, it will free the banks from the burden of these troubled assets. The sad news is that banks have become hesitant about approving loans especially those at great risk of being defaulted.

With the credit industry becoming conservative, the consumers are the ones who will suffer more. Gone are the days when you can easily get approved for a mortgage. In addition to a credit score in the vicinity of 750, you should also make sure that your credit history has no traces of late payments. Otherwise, you will have to agree to a higher interest rate – that is, if your mortgage application gets approved.

On the other hand, businesses will find that the frozen up cash flows will make it difficult for them to complete payroll and some belts will be tightened. For this reason, many of the businesses might consider laying-off some of their employees in order to keep the business running. Again, this will not bode well for the national economy.

Until the $700 billion is approved and utilized, it is uncertain what the outcome is for the housing and financial industries. There is so much at stake and so much to be gained as well. If everything works according to plan, the entire nation will soon find itself on its feet and the market will once again enjoy a healthy level of consumer confidence.

But if this fails, you can expect millions more Americans to be jobless and homeless. For now, all everyone can do it to keep their fingers crossed and wait.

Troubled Homeowners Buying Second Homes?

Wednesday, September 10th, 2008

According to ABCNews, there seem to be a growing number of homeowners who are purchasing cheaper second homes and simply walking out of their first homes because they could no longer afford their mortgage payments.

Troubled Homeowners Buying Second Homes?

If this is true, it could only be possible for families who can actually afford to pay the down payment on the second home and are lucky enough to get approved for another mortgage even though they still have an existing mortgage, which is about to be defaulted.

Considering that many homeowners have found themselves in a position where they could no longer keep up with their mortgage payments, it is not surprising that some of them want to make sure that heir families will still have a room over their heads.

In addition, most of the homeowners who are facing foreclosure have learned their lesson – opting for fixed rate mortgages on their second home rather than going for the adjustable rate ones.

If you are considering the same option, you should keep in mind that these homeowners have not yet defaulted on their first mortgages, allowing them to get approved fro another one. Also, it will be doubly-hard to get a second loan right now considering the recently-tightened lending guidelines.

Lastly, you should not forget that you will be walking away from your first home, which means a foreclosure record on your credit report. This could be very bad for your credit score and could cause you a lot of inconvenience in the future.

Distressed homeowners should realize that there are actually other options that can be explored such as loan modification or new repayment plan. All they need to do is to talk with their lenders about their mortgage problems. If qualified, they could probably avail of the government’s mortgage relief program, set to be implemented on October 1.

Foreclosure 101: The Sale-Leaseback Option

Friday, September 5th, 2008

Investing in a foreclosure property is currently the rave right now as more and more buyers discover its greater return potential. Among the things you will come across in this field is the sale-leaseback option. Although the idea behind this scheme sounds good, you must first understand it in its entirety if you do not want to be mistaken as a predatory buyer.

Continue Reading: Foreclosure 101: The Sale-Leaseback Option

How to Forestall Foreclosure

Wednesday, September 3rd, 2008

If you read newspapers and watch news, you are quite aware that the nation is struggling with a foreclosure crisis. According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, there are approximately 250,000 foreclosure filings every quarter. Although you have been fortunate enough to have avoided being in the shoes of over 3 million homeowners, this does not mean that you are in the clear. Unexpected circumstances like an illness or job loss can put you at risk.

Continue Reading: How to Forestall Foreclosure

Foreclosure Alternatives Worth Considering

Tuesday, August 5th, 2008

It is a sad fact that the new housing law signed earlier this week will only be able to accommodate around 500,000 troubled borrowers. This means that millions of homeowners will still have to face their foreclosure dilemmas without the benefit of assistance from the government.

Among the foreclosure alternatives you can explore if you are […]

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3 Reasons Why You Should Face Foreclosure Head On

Monday, July 14th, 2008

In the United States, millions of homeowners have already lost their homes to foreclosure. Experts and analysts believe that more will follow considering the rising fuel prices, lack of employment opportunities and weak economic conditions.

Continue Reading: 3 Reasons Why You Should Face Foreclosure Head On

The Importance of Proper Disclosure

Wednesday, July 9th, 2008

The tough competition in the housing market today has made sellers result to creative marketing strategies. Some choose to offer huge discounts while some prefer offering better incentives. In any case, it is important for sellers to make proper disclosure.

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How to Win the Foreclosure Game

Friday, June 13th, 2008

It is not a secret that the real estate business can be lucrative. But with the current market conditions, some brokers fear that it certainly is the worst of time for their business. However, there are brokers who see the current crisis in the housing sector as a golden opportunity.

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Home Values Falling Steadily Nationwide

Wednesday, May 28th, 2008

A new study shows that home prices in the United States fell an average of 13% from the first quarter of 2007 to the first quarter of 2008. These sorts of drops are huge, and many fear that the housing market is in its worst decline since the depression era of the 1930’s.

Continue Reading: Home Values Falling Steadily Nationwide