Foreclosures Offer Deals, But Be Wary - The New York Times

The Times picks up on our article regarding buying foreclosed homes.
In Saturday's section on Your Money, the Times' Tara Siegel Bernard writes,

So you’re looking to buy a new home, and you think a foreclosed house may be the best deal. You’ve probably noticed, then, that many of the big banks' Web sites are beginning to look a bit like real estate brokerages, showcasing the many properties that they’ve repossessed.

While prices may be much lower, the Times points out

Despite the seemingly high inventory, though, anyone considering buying a distressed property should heed the classic warning: Caveat emptor, or let the buyer beware.

There are risks aplenty in trying to get a good deal in the REO market and, as the Times says, "Closing a deal in a desirable neighborhood can be hard to do."

To read the Times' take on this aspect of the real estate market, read the full article.

For your next title order
or if you have questions about what you see here,
contact Stephen M. Flatow
Vested Title Inc.
648 Newark Avenue, P.O. Box 6453, Jersey City, NJ 07306
Tel 201-656-9220 - Fax 201-656-4506
E-mail vti@vested.com - www.vested.com
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Buying a foreclosed home – 5 tips from Bankrate.com

We get many inquiries from prospective real estate investors about buying a home that has come through foreclosure.

Our friends at Bankrate.com have published 5 tips to help a buyer negotiate the sometimes tricky path to buying a foreclosed home.

"Buying a foreclosed home is a little different from buying a typical resale.

"In many cases, only one real estate agent is involved. The seller wants a preapproval letter from a lender before accepting an offer. There often is little, if any, room for negotiation. The home comes as is, and it's up to the buyer to pay for repairs.

"On the upside, most bank-owned homes are vacant, which can speed up the process of moving in."

Here are the tips.

1. Get preapproved for a mortgage.

2. Find an agent specializing in foreclosures.

3. Know how long it takes to sell a home in your price bracket.

4. Study the sale prices of comparable homes in your area.

5. Remember the sale is for the home as is.

Read the full article.

For your next title order
or if you have questions about what you see here,
contact Stephen M. Flatow
Vested Title Inc.
648 Newark Avenue, P.O. Box 6453, Jersey City, NJ 07306
Tel 201-656-9220 - Fax 201-656-4506
E-mail vti@vested.com - www.vested.com
We're the New Jersey specialists.

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From Realty Times - Realtor Organization Opposed FHA Anti-Flipping Rule

Writing in Realty Times, Bob Hunt discusses the position of the California Association of Realtors that now opposes the FHA 90-day anti-flipping rule.

The primary component of FHA's anti-flipping policy is the 90-day rule. No FHA funding will be provided for properties purchased within 90 days of the seller's acquisition of the property. The intent of this policy is to protect buyers from overpaying (and, of course, to protect FHA's insurance program). Now, being against that sounds like opposing motherhood and apple pie.

However, proponents of the CAR motion argued that, in the current environment, the effect of the anti-flipping rule was actually to harm potential FHA buyers and to shut them out of the real estate market.

What it boils down to this-- you can never eliminate fraud in the sale of real estate, but FHA may be throwing the baby out with the bath water by blocking all sales within 90 days of acquisition.
Food for thought.

Read the full article.

What do you think?

For your next title order
or if you have questions about what you see here,

contact Stephen M. Flatow
Vested Title Inc.
648 Newark Avenue, P.O. Box 6453, Jersey City, NJ 07306
Tel 201-656-9220 - Fax 201-656-4506
E-mail vti@vested.com - www.vested.com

We're the New Jersey specialists.

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