When it comes to real estate, a foreclosure may seem like a good deal. However, those amateur investors or home flippers might not realize what it takes to make a foreclosed home into an investment that pays off. Furthermore, even homebuyers should make sure to be aware of what a foreclosure requires to make a good home.
Purchasing a foreclosed home is similar to buying a used car from an auction. Consumers can save a lot of money if they have the time to search out these deals. A little bit of luck doesn’t hurt.
However, the people who do the best with these types of sales are those who are familiar with the product and make the call whether the lower price is a deal. Just because a foreclosed home is worth less than the property assessment doesn’t mean the estimate is correct. The professionals know this, but new investors may not.
This experience and knowledge help buyers make wiser decisions and mitigate risk. Instead of just looking at the price differential, they consider factors such as location. Is the home in a neighborhood where it’s likely to sell? Does it have unique features that help it stand apart from other properties? What work will be necessary to sell the foreclosure at a profit? Even if homeowners have no plans to sell soon, they need to consider the future resale value of their purchase.
Furthermore, investors must have a strategy that includes property acquisition as well as holding it until it sells. If an investor doesn’t consider the overall real estate market, which includes job and population growth, this property could be on their hands for quite some time. Investors may even lose money due to property taxes and maintenance costs.
Finally, the smartest investors know that foreclosures may not be the way to get the most bang for their buck. Some investors spend time listings of future auctions and content owners or lenders before the auction occurs. While this might not lead to a better price, it can ensure that an investor can close by eliminating the competition and eliminate the need to have cash for an auction. That lengthy closing process can also interfere with a homeowner’s plan to move.
