Buying Real Estate Foreclosures

When looking for a home for you and your family you will come across all kinds of deals, bargains, and so-called values along the way. If price is a very tangible object for you and your real estate investment then you might seriously want to consider the value of foreclosures. If you are hoping to invest in real estate in order to turn a profit then you may also wish to consider these properties that are often sold well below the ordinary value of the property because they are in varying degrees of disrepair.

Foreclosures are properties that have been taken back by the lenders because the previous owners were unable to continue making payments on the property. Being that these homes were often owned by those in financial distress and may have been empty for some time before being sold, chances are that the foreclosure homes being sold at any given time are in some degree of disrepair. The shabbiness of many of these properties is one of the factors that keeps the prices down. Another is the fact that the lenders are essentially attempting to recoup their investment in the property. For this reason they are often willing to take less than the value of the property if that is what is owed on the property.

Why are these properties often in a state of disrepair? Truthfully, there are many reasons but the primary culprit in this situation is money. Obviously the owners of the home were struggling to make the payments or the home would not be in the state of foreclosure. If the notes on the property were difficult to begin with it makes perfect sense that other issues such as leaking roofs, shabby carpeting, or plumbing maintenance would take a distant second in priority to making the house payment.

At the same time, there are those who are bitter about loosing their homes. As sad as the situation may be some add insult to injury by damaging these properties intentionally. These homeowners feel they have nothing left to loose and if they cannot have their property hole then the lenders should not as well. While this is by no means the way to go there are very many who choose this path over other options.

The fact is that their loss in these situations is actually your gain. The damage they do to the property is often not terribly expensive to repair though it can be quite bothersome. Your willingness to do the work in order to create a beautiful home for you and your family or as an investment can often translate to big savings at the closing table or when negotiating the price of the property. Foreclosures can allow families to buy larger homes in better neighborhoods than they would ordinarily be able to afford. They can also provide a fabulous kick-start to a property investment portfolio.

Despite common claims and Internet advertisements, you do not need to buy a list in order to find foreclosed real estate in your area. You simply need to procure the services of a competent realtor and let him or her know that your intentions are to purchase a foreclosed property or some other property that is selling well below market value. You might be amazed at the wealth of information and assistance your realtor can provide not only in finding excellent foreclosures but also when it comes to procuring financing for some of the more creatively damaged foreclosures you may run across at insane bargain prices.

Advice on Mortgages

When it comes to owning property many people around the world will tell you that this is a lifelong dream. While once an opportunity that seemed to be reserved for either the wealthiest or the most miserly among the general population home ownership is now something that is accessible to a larger segment of the population than ever before.

This is good news for many but for some can lead to confusing encounters with mortgage brokers and serious sharks along the way. The best advice that anyone can give someone attempting to embrace the dream of real estate ownership is to deal with a reputable company when it comes to obtaining a mortgage. Even when dealing with reputable lending companies you must watch out for those who do not have your best interest at heart.

If you would like some very practical advice when it comes to getting a mortgage, then you are at the right place. First of all, avoid lenders that are encouraging you to take a loan for more money than you are comfortable repaying. Foreclosures are at a record high when it comes to the mortgage industry at the moment because of predatory lending practice on behalf of some mortgage brokers. These practices include convincing people to borrow more money than they could realistically hope to pay over time and have any quality of life as well as convincing homebuyers to take out adjustable rate mortgages in the beginning in order to procure lower rates.

Shop around before you decide to buy when it comes to mortgages. This doesn't mean to actually apply for mortgages all over town but do the research and compare rates before applying with any one company. Talk to several different brokers and find out what they have to offer you that the other company down the road cannot or will not offer. Keep in mind that mortgage companies will offer everything under the sun from free toasters to free vacations in order to get you to go with their company. The proof is in the terms however. It is simply not worth that free toaster if you are going to end up paying a 6.9% interest rate instead of a 5.9% rate. You will have paid for that toaster many times over in the process of paying the mortgage.

Even after you've applied for a mortgage, if the deal seems to be going south check out your other options. There are all kinds of problems that crop up along the way. You are not marrying the mortgage broker. Nine times out of ten you aren't even making any sort of commitment at all to your mortgage broker. You will however be living in the house you select. If there is a problem with the mortgage company for the specific home you want do not hesitate to change in order to get the home you desire for your family rather than allowing the mortgage company to dictate what kind of home you can buy.

In all honesty, it is nearly impossible to buy a home in this day and age without taking out a mortgage. It is best however if you see the process as a learning experience rather than an object lesson in intimidation. This is your home and your money that will be spent in order to purchase the home. You are asking them for a loan but quite frankly, they need your business. Do not hesitate to shop around for the best deal with a mortgage just as you did when finding your home.

The Disconnect Between FHA And Their Product!

From the moment that FHA announced their dramatic increase in monthly MI that the streamlines would slow down. When you can lower your rate by over 1% but your payment does not move, what's the point of streamlining? That doesn't even take into account the 5% Net Tangible benefit that is required to even be able to streamline. I honestly think the FHA has no clue how their changes can effect the consumer. If your goal was to slow down streamlines to build up the reserves again, fine. Just admit that was your goal and not that streamlines would be fine it is just the Lenders not approving them. Seriously? We can only approve them based of the guidelines you provided to us. Hum....anyway, check out this video discussing this further.

The Disconnect Between FHA And Their Product!

Mortgage Market Guide Vol. 9 Issue 47

Last Week in Review: There was more negative news out of Europe and some positive economic news here in the US. But how did home loan rates fare?

Forecast for the Week: There will be plenty of news to gobble up before the Thanksgiving holiday, with reports on the housing market, the state of the economy, inflation, consumer sentiment, and more.

View: Planning to do some shopping on Black Friday? Be sure to check out these tips first.

Click here for this week's Mortgage Market Guide

Remember: Weak economic news normally causes money to flow out of Stocks and into Bonds, helping Bonds and home loan rates improve, while strong economic news normally has the opposite result.

The bottom line is that home loan rates are still near historic lows, which means now remains a great time to purchase or refinance a home. Let me know if I can answer any questions at all for you or your clients

Home Loans

Home loans make the process of buying a new home more affordable than ever. As you may already know, these types of loans give you many opportunities that wouldn’t be possible without them. When you buy a home, you should understand as much as you can about the process, as well as the questions you will be answering. This way, you’ll be familiar with how things work and you’ll find the entire process to go much smoother.

When you look towards a home purchase loan, you’ll need to fully understand the interest rates. They are never the same and will vary among the different financial institutions, as well as from time to time. In many cases, home loans can change on a frequent basis, with little to no notice. When you buy a home, it is very important that you keep up with the economy. Any change in interest rates for a home loan can either increase or decrease the amount you pay back.

When getting a home loan, you’ll also need to understand the terms and the length of the loan. Almost all financial institutions and lenders have a variety of different plans or periods for you to choose from. If you choose a longer period, in most cases your interest rate will drop. You can find this out yourself by using a mortgage calculator. This way, you’ll know how much your mortgage payment will be before you decide to further pursue the loan.

As you probably already know, your ability to pay the loan back is very important. Some lenders require that you keep your loan full term, while others may provide you with the option to pay it off any time you wish. Home loans that give you the option to pay it off early will normally save you quite a bit of money in the end. If you are able to pay your loan off several years early, you’ll save a lot of money in the long run.

Even though the early payoff option is great to have, it can also come back to haunt you if you end up defaulting on the home loan. Or, if you decide to sell your home in the future, the early payoff can haunt you as well. For those very reasons you should always consult with a specialist before you commit to any type of home loan.

For the potential home buyer, home loans offer several different opportunities. Before you rush out and get a home loan, you should always know what you are agreeing to. You should also look into the company you are thinking of getting the loan from as well, so that you can better prepare yourself when you go through their process of getting your loan.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns during your loan process. I would be honored to give you a free consultation to help you understand the options available to you and your family.

Mortgage Market Guide Vol. 9 Issue 45

Last Week in Review: The volatility out of Europe continued, along with the arrival of Friday's Jobs Report for October.

Forecast for the Week: It's a quiet week when it comes to economic reports, plus the Bond Market is closed Friday for Veterans Day.

View: Don't miss these special deals in honor of America's veterans.

Click here for the this week's Mortgage Market Guide

Remember: Weak economic news normally causes money to flow out of Stocks and into Bonds, helping Bonds and home loan rates improve, while strong economic news normally has the opposite result.