Foreclosure and Bank Owned Properties

We missed a bank property this week by offering $5000 too low on a $600,000 property. One of my daily tasks is to know of every foreclosure and bank owned property that hits the market. By networking with local banks, agents, and loss mitigators, I find out more about properties that will be coming. This provides my clients the best deals before they are on the market or the day of. Good deals go and others may see them too.
Well...get ready for it. More foreclosures are coming. If you have note read it yet check out the story at: http://www.sltrib.com/realestate/ci_11454615.
Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac's marketing communications manager said, "Utah now ranks 13th in terms of foreclosures, compared with 20th place a year ago. Foreclosures appear to be rising at a faster pace now because the housing boom in Utah came later than other states, so the bust is coming later, too," She went on to say "We have some tough times ahead of us. Even though we're approaching record-high levels of foreclosures, we're still in a better situation than most other states," she said.
As many of you know, my goal is always to find 'MOTIVATED' Sellers. Although REO's are motivated, they are not my favorite. In fact, I am not a huge fan of foreclosures of bank owned properties for the following reasons:

• All homes are sold 'as is'
• No Sellers Disclosures
• A normal home inspection may not be enough
• Any internal damage, mold, or methamphetamines are unknown.
• Builder mistakes may be severe
• Our extreme climate may have caused damage and property may not be winterized correctly.
• The deal of the decade may be a money pit.

Although there are lots of deals available. Be sure to plan on spending more than the average $350 home inspection. Spend the time and money to get mold testing, meth testing, engineering reports, details from neighbors, and anything else you can. Consider hiring a professional contractor in addition to your home inspector. Better safe than sorry. Calculated risk is key when purchasing these types of property.

There is Hope

The great thing about our market isthere are opportunities. There are motivated sellers, people will carry financing, and renters want to stay somewhere nice. My dad always told me there are 3 things people always need: food, clothing, and housing.
I admit, it is not fun to see equity going down, jobs being lost, and people losing their homes. It's not fun taking a call from a client asking why their property has not sold and you have to explain that the price reduction you requested is a must not a suggestion. It's not fun seeing my parents heart sink every time the stock market drops.
However, there is hope. Even the people that have lost everything they have worked for can start moving forward and they do not need to wait years for a market recovery. In fact, many have said they will just start renting and try to qualify for a loan in 3 to 5 years. So here is what these people need to understand. No credit...No money...No problem.
While prospecting THIS WEEK I found 3 great deals that would benefit such a situation.
1. Owner has had a rental for 20 years. He wanted 10% down and then actually said he would take no money down if he got his price. This is in a good are in Salt Lake! He will carry the note for 20 years at 6%.
2. Seller rents property in Utah County and really just wants to stop land lording. Will carry financing.
3. Seller willing to sell their fixed up property at any price to get into their dream home. Yes, carrying the note is an option.
Lets keep pushing. There is hope. The harder we work the luckier we get. Call me, let me show you how.

Do What Others Are Not Willing To Do

The last few weeks I have had peers ask how I am selling property, finding good investments for clients, or how I am finding new business. "How are you closing deals?"
The answer...I continue to scratch at the concrete. I put my head down and go to work. I cold call, I knock doors, I call ads on the internet or newspaper, I have my assistant create lists for me to call and I do whatever I have to make more contacts, set more appointments, and sell my clients properties or find new properties for my buyers. I continue to spend money on marketing. I make sure I follow up on every interested call. It is the constant daily effort of finding, marketing, and being in front of people and properties. Its the daily routine and doing things constantly and consistently that has created some deals that would have never happened. I seem to get luckier the harder I work. The more consistently I do it, the more deals come about. How did the tortoise win the race, one step at a time.

Be Creative and Make It Happen

This last week we were able to close on two deals that likely would have never consumated and closed. This market is fabulous for creating win win transactions with creative techniques that benefit all parties. In addition, it makes deals close in a market where they would likely sit and never sell at all. That is why we are selling properties and our deals are closing.
Examples from THIS Week:
1. Our fixer upper property was under contract for $158,000. After all evaluations were complete and the day of closing arrived, we found that the buyers partner did not have his half of the money. Therefore, IT WAS DEAD. So rather than take the buyers earnest money and put it back on the market with 8,600 other homes I asked the question. "How much money was promised by your partner?" "What if I could provide you the money you need to make up for your partners lack of funds, would you still close?" Therefore, he came in with 30% down as required by the bank and we did a 10% carry back for 3 years. He was happy to save the additional 10% and my seller was ecstatic to earn a higher percent on her money than the bank would or money market would yield her.
2. We had a buyer that had $40,000 cash down but no credit. Also, they did not want their payments to exceed $2000 AND wanted a $500,000 home. Is this reality or fantasy land? Well...this is what we did. We searched the MLS and found a builder/agent wanting to sell. I proposed a few options and our goals, in the end we closed at $470,000 at a 5% rate for 5 years!!! No mortgage insurance and $40,000 down. Not only is that a good deal, the TERMS are powerful!
3. I am currently negotiating on an income producing duplex for myself. The term would be for 4 years at 8%. Sounds a little high but in reality by the time I am saving the cost of no mortgage insurance, no closing costs, and the ability to raise low rents to market rates, it really is the deal of the decade.

My point is this. This market has some deals that people really think would never happen or are simply over looked. So, just remember there is sunlight through the clouds and there are deals everywhere. Just think about it a little longer and be creative and ask, "how could I make this happen?"

It Can Happen, Anytime.

Two weeks ago we were bid out on an investment. The day of closing the deal did not go through for the other party. Although there were better offers on the table, we could close quick and they called us to close for our offer $20,000 less than competing offers. What an amazing deal. As I stated before, 50% of the time those deals go through. Always be the back up.

Since then I found a property with foundation problems for $99,000. What a deal right? But here we are two weeks later and it is still sitting on the market as investor after investor cannot seem to justify the price with the major foundation issues. Remember, I am not interested in what a property is but what it can be.
This property can actually be split into 3 lots and 3 townhomes built on the property. This property is not getting justice. I would take 20 minutes to have a preliminary plan approved and market it has a possible 3 unit development for $135,000. Would you rather have one junky house for $100k or a possible unit for $45,000 a door?

A fixer upper found this week

We located a real fixer upper this week for $185,000. It needed about $50,000 and would be worth $280,000.It was really a dump and needed significant rehab. There were 6 offers and It went for full price the first day on the market.
Interestingly enough, our offer was $20,000 less. When I asked the agent if we could be in a back up position, they agreed.
This is my favorite type of deal and this is why. Lessons to be learned:
1. Always stick to your numbers. A feeding frenzy can sometimes make you feel pressure that get you away from your numbers. Put a pencil to it and stick to it.
2. Always be in a back up position. I do not care if the next deal is cash. Anything can happen! My ratio of success is roughly 50% of back up offers go through. You do not get all of them but when they go through it is awesome.
3. There are more fish in the sea. This deal came up this week there will be another next week. It was just fun to see how many offers came in on the deal and how active this market really is. Like I said, this market is a great opportunity to get some good deals.