Tuesday, March 16, 2010

How To Make Money With Georgia Foreclosures

By Jack Bennington

With all the foreclosures that are going on these days, there are some real bargains among the Georgia foreclosures. Before you sign the dotted line, you might want to know some information about the foreclosure process so that that dream home does not become your worst nightmare.

On a nationwide basis, pre-foreclosure sales are one of the best ways to find a bargain. In the pre-foreclosure sales, the owner has defaulted on his loan payments but still is in ownership of the property. Often this type of sale allows you to purchase a home for a below market value and for slightly more than the owner owes on the home. It can help the current owner to salvage his credit and get you into a home at a lower price.

In Georgia, homeowners only have 30 days from the notice of default before the property can be foreclosed. This time is longer in other states, so you should be aware of the short fuse when considering pre-foreclosed property in Georgia.

Once the time between the notice and actual foreclosure is passed, the home is foreclosed. Homes are offered for sale at an auction on the courthouse steps of the county courthouse. Purchasing a home through a foreclosure auction is very risky. You will purchase the home sight unseen. You must pay the full amount of your winning bid in cash. You will not be issued any title insurance on the property. While you may get the home at a big bargain, there can be debts due that will come back to bite you when purchasing property in this manner.

If there are no bids on the property or if the bids are for less than the bank is willing to take to settle the debt on the house, then the bank will take possession of the home and list it for sale with a Realtor. Banks with few foreclosures will often list the home for near market value in order to increase their profits. If the bank has several foreclosures, they may be willing to sell the property at a lower price.

Government foreclosures work somewhat differently. These properties had subsidized and guaranteed loans either through the VA or the FHA. After foreclosure, the government owns the homes and bids have to be made through certified Realtors that the government has approved to take the bids.

For the first 45 days the property is listed by the government, only purchasers that intend to live in the home can bid on it. After 45 days, investors can also bid on the property. This additional time can give persons looking for a home to live in an advantage as they are not competing with investors planning to flip the home.

While Georgia foreclosures can offer some bargain prices, there are some things of which you should be aware. Homes sold on the courthouse steps may are a high risk. Pre-foreclosure properties are often a better value than those owned by the bank. Government owned properties have a different procedure for purchase than do other foreclosed properties.

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Thursday, March 11, 2010

Tips And Strategies In Buying Georgia Foreclosures

By Jack Bennington

The high rate of Georgia foreclosures are creating great real estate investment opportunities. Statistics compiled from court and government records by independent investment analysts show that Georgia has one of the highest number of mortgage defaults in the country. There are signs that the recession is ending. The unemployment rate is beginning to slowly improve. It is reasonable to expect that the rate of property defaults will be begin to decrease. However, as long as the number of mortgage defaults stay high properties will be available at bargain prices.

Despite the economy appearing bad right now, there are many financial opportunities caused by the high foreclosure rate in Georgia. For those willing to spend the time and to do their homework, there are many homes on the market that are selling at very cheap prices. In order to profit from these low prices it is crucial to act quickly. These low prices will not last forever.

The courts are required to maintain public records on foreclosure properties because foreclosure is a court proceeding. By going to the courthouse and reviewing court records you can build lists of properties going through the process. In this internet age we live in, most courts have their records on the world wide web. You will be able to do this research from your computer.

There are real estate brokers who specialize in properties that are in default. They can help you find properties that suit your unique situation and investment goals. They are experienced professionals who can help you avoid common pitfalls and mistakes. Real estate brokers are easy to find on the internet. There are also free real estate guides available.

County clerk and county treasurers are a good source for properties that may soon default on their mortgage. Look for properties that are behind in their property taxes. You can contact the property owner yourself. They should be happy to talk to you since you may be able to save them the costs and humiliation of foreclosure. Delinquent property taxes are a clear sign that the property will soon enter into foreclosure.

Some investors will place an ad in local newspapers and on the internet stating that are seeking properties that are in default. This is an effective technique to discover properties. You will have the bargaining advantage as the sellers will be very motivated.

It is important to always have an attorney represent you in real estate transactions. Real estate law is complicated. When there are thousands of dollars at sake you can not afford to make a mistake. Always use a good real estate attorney for your own protection.

Now is the time to make money in Georgia Foreclosures. The real estate market is starting to improve. The recession is ending and the labor market will soon improve. Once the economy recovers the foreclosure rate will decrease. We may never see the number of these great investment opportunities again. The time to act is now.

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Saturday, March 6, 2010

How To Find Georgia Foreclosures

By Helen Burns

If you are searching for a property that is cheap, you might try looking at Georgia foreclosures. These listings are usually well equipped homes and they are offered at rates below their worth. That means that you can get a great deal on a home and walk away with money in your pocket.

Living in Georgia is a state of bliss. There are hundreds of flowering trees and blossoming fruit trees that make it the perfect destination for anyone. This state is well equipped with sunshine and southern hospitality.

The homes in this area are usually Victorian style homes with all of the features and trimmings you would expect to see. There are some other style to choose from too, such as all brick or partial siding homes to pick from. There is a home for every ones particular taste and need.

The first thing that you can do to find a piece of real estate that is being sold cheap, is to contact an agent that specializes in foreclosures. They can let you know where the listings are and help you find a few that meet your criteria.

Many people see money when they buy a distressed home and then resell it. This can be a fast process of a buy and sell swap. The new owners will have no clue that the home was in face a foreclosure and will think that they are just buying a normal home. That leaves you with lots of extra income. Sometimes people buy these houses and then put some home repairs into them, adding some new upgrades can really add to the value already in the home. Whatever option is chosen, there is certainly worth attached to it.

If the home being purchased is for the buyer to live in then it can be a great deal. The new home owner will be able to live in a house and pay just a cheap mortgage leaving extra cash flow for other things. The only drawback to buying a foreclosure home, is the fact that you buy it in an as-is state. That requires you to be responsible for all repairs and unexpected turns that the house may have. For example; if it has mold or mildew and the damage is extensive, there is no way to know until the sale has been made. Even home inspectors are not allowed to get into the home to do a once over, until after the final papers have been written up.

When you take the time needed for a home auction, you can be in for a pleasant surprise. The homes here are put into the auction from agencies, and banks who wish to see them gone. If there are no bidders other than yourself, then you are in luck for a great deal, however if more than one person want the same house, a bidding war can start and cause the price to get quite high.

Georgia foreclosures are a way to have a house or investment property at a great price. The excellent area and people make it the perfect spot to take up residence or simply buy for someone else. Which ever path is taken, the sure fact will be the extra money made.

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Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Build A Great Rental Portfolio With Inexpensive Georgia Foreclosures

By Paul Ravinstein

If you are considering investing in real estate, Georgia foreclosures is worth checking out. Georgia is investor friendly, and there is an enormous amount of inexpensive properties on the market there. With so many properties available at cheap prices, Georgia is a great area for landlords. They can purchase these homes and rent them out to earn a good income.

Every state in the U. S. Has been affected by the recession. However, the mortgage crisis hit Georgia more severely than other areas. If you are interesting in buying your first investment property, Georgia foreclosures are a great option. If you already have a portfolio of properties, you can easily expand it by buying in Georgia.

The mortgage crisis has caused so many working adults in Georgia to lose their homes. Many of these individuals and families are now looking for rental properties in their local area. They may also be looking at neighborhoods nearby.

Before launching into the real estate market in Georgia, you should have some money on hand for your investments. If you have that, the steps to buying real estate may not be as tedious as you may think. There are so many properties available in Georgia. With a little legwork, you can find great deals. First, decide on the areas in Georgia that you want to target. Then take a look at different neighborhoods in those areas and see what homes are renting for.

Next, start looking for foreclosed properties in your selected area. You may find that some of the houses need to be fixed up. But these homes are usually the best deals. These properties may have outdated kitchens or bathroom floors. But if you have some money to invest in them, they are worth buying. If you do not want to invest in fixer uppers, you can find foreclosed houses that are in good shape. These homes are usually ready to be rented.

Once you have found your first property, contact the seller and make arrangements to view the property. If you do not live in the area, be sure to ask questions about the property, and request pictures of the interior and exterior of the home. You should also find out about the condition of plumbing, heating and electrical wiring. The condition of the roof is also important.

If you decide to buy the home, you can make an offer to buy the property and submit a formal contract to the seller. If you do not have enough cash on hand to buy the house, contact a lending institution and apply for a loan. Try to get fixed rate financing. With fixed rate loans, your mortgage payment will not change.

Once your financing has been secured, you are ready to go to settlement on your property. With deed in hand, you can put your rental property on the market and rent your home. This entire process starts with taking advantage of Georgia foreclosures, where extremely low priced properties are plentiful.

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