How To Buy Investment Real Estate

When it comes to investments many people have found that real estate is the right choice for them. Real estate investment is something that can bring a person a lot of money if they know how to make a proper investment. Not all properties that are listed for sale, up for tax sale, or facing foreclosure are good investments. It takes finding the right property at the right time in order to make a solid investment.

The first that that you will learn about how to buy investment real estate is to look at the whole picture, not just the surface level. Understanding a few key points is vital in making sure that you are buying the right investment.

• What is the property value of a comparable home in the area?
• What do the neighboring homes look like?
• Is the down decreasing in value or increasing?
• Are there surface and cosmetic repairs that can quickly be made?
• Could this sell for a quick profit?

Picking out the right investment is not just about finding a cheap piece of real estate. It is about finding something that requires a minimal amount to spruce it up that will bring a lot of profit. The idea is to put in minimal effort for a big return. Some properties will require more money than others but as long as the return that will be received from it is worth it, it is a wise investment.

Finding Properties

Start by researching areas to learn whether or not the real estate market is decreasing, increasing, or whether it has leveled out. Once you have found an area that suits what you are looking for, it is time to shop for properties. Start with the local courthouse to see what properties are listed for sheriff’s sale. As long as there are no liens attached to the property, or at least affordable liens, you can move forward. Generally you have to satisfy all liens on the property right away so this is something that you will need to be prepared for.

Gain a connection to a local real estate agent that can keep an eye out on newly listed properties that are within the range and type of property that you are looking for. You can always keep an eye on online real estate sites but not all properties that are listed for sale make it on there.

If you have cash for the property investment that is great. For those who do not, you will want to make sure that you are pre-approved for purchasing of real estate so that you are not wasting time. Making sure that you have all of your ducks in a row before investing too much time into searching for properties will ensure that you are on the right path.

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Discover more great real estate information, tips, and help for finding or selling a home in Florida at http://www.lisaearlwilson.com. Lisa Earl Wilson is a Florida Real Estate Sales Associate specializing in finding homes for sale in Dunedin Florida

Investing in Foreclosures

If you have been paying attention to the nightly news recently you are aware that there are many foreclosures available in every state and every price level.  The current economy has produced a scourge of empty and foreclosed homes.  Foreclosures occur when the current homeowner is unable to make their monthly mortgage payment and the bank is forced to take the property back.  This can be a great opportunity for investing in foreclosures. 

The reason why is because while the real estate market may currently be in a downward spiral, people will always need a place to live and the market will not stay down forever.  Think about this.  The investor’s maxim is that you buy while the prices are low and sell when the prices are higher.  The fact of the matter is that right now real estate is “on sale”.  Now is the time to buy. 

There are various ways to purchase a foreclosed property, which we will go over here.  First off is a pre-foreclosure sale.  This is a sale that occurs when a lender allows the homeowner who is delinquent in their payments to sell the home and pay back the lender from the proceeds of the sale.  Oftentimes the house will sell for less than the homeowner owes on the note and in that case it is referred to as a “short sale”.  There are many “short-sale” opportunities available right now in every city.  Your local realtors with the MLS can help you search them out or you can get a bank foreclosure list. 

A second way to purchase a foreclosure property is through a foreclosure auction. The auction is usually held at the local courthouse of the county where the property is located.  The property is sold to the highest bidder and often the price is very reasonable.  Investors can often see a good profit margin when they purchase from this type of sale.  One thing to be aware of though is that these properties are generally sold “as is” and the buyer is not able to make inspections.  Any and all repairs will be the responsibility of the buyer.

After the bank forecloses they will try to sell the property themselves.  Usually they just want the get the property off from their books and they will drop the price until the property sells.  This is often a way to get a really good price on a property.  Also, many times the bank has made some of the necessary repairs to sell the property.  Even so these homes are still sold “as is” but in this case the buyer will be able to make the necessary inspections. 

Whenever you purchase real estate you should do your own due diligence and independent research to make sure that the property is appropriate to meet your needs.  You also need to make sure that you have the funds available through your own cash fund or from financing.  This will make sure that your purchase goes as planned. 

But as a savvy investor buying real estate right now makes sense because right now in this current economic climate, real estate is “on sale”!

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Safe Investments with Self-directed IRA

More investors as of now want a safe yet innovative option to invest for their retirement in the near future. With the baby boomers having the most influence in the economy today and they are retiring soon, this market of investment-seekers are going to grow dramatically even with the gloomy financial outlook.

Guidant Financial, as the leader in providing self-directed IRA services today, allows investors the control to make alternative investments in real estate, franchises, and businesses. The company, along with most financial services firms, anticipated the significant downturn in their business. But the trend in their business analysis shows that the traditional financial turmoil appears to encourage many investors to consider other platforms of investments for their security in their retirement.

People have been traumatized by the meltdown in the real estate market and the volatility of the stock markets. With the instability in these markets, many people are avoiding the traditional securities markets altogether. People are more intelligent right now with their money and wanted a new and secure way of controlling their assets. This is probably the driving force behind the staggering growth of the Guidant Financial Group.

More investors are afraid of investing further and some are deciding to transfer their retirement savings out of the stock market. These investors are looking for other asset classes offering better control and monitoring for their money. They found that self-directed IRAs offer them the chance to control their investments without first committing to a specific investment. This concept, though had been there for a long time, was not very much promoted due to the absence of middleman profits for financial companies. Now, it has steadily gained some popularity since last year.

Guidant Financial Group’s self-directed IRA is a form of retirement account where the investor has the ability to invest in both traditional and non-traditional assets. Most Guidant clients prefer to invest in rental properties or private loans. Similarly, they also considered private stock and tax liens with a little education in these fields. These alternative investments generated cash-flow opportunities making them a very attractive option for those retiring soon. Learn more tips on this very important concept of self-direcetd IRA in our financial directory blog.

With more direct form of management, they have saved a few thousand of dollars from holding and administrative fees. They also monitored personally where their money is invested. This is peace of mind for most of them. This is the major reason behind the unexpected growth in Guidant’s self-directed IRA business. To know more about this special instrument to save up for your retirement, learn more with this financial directory.

See Paul J. Easton with more information on financial directory and tips on how to start your self-directed IRA accounts.