reo: Court House Auctions - 05/03/11 04:01 AM
Buying Houses at County Courthouse AuctionsPeople are searching for a bargain these days and one area of focus is real estate auctions or trustee's sales. It is true that you can get a good deal at the county courthouse steps, but you have to be careful and know what to look for. Things to Consider        Don't get caught up in a bidding war. It's natural to want to outdo others that starting bidding on what you want. And once bidding begins, you can get this urge to win and you just keep bidding. Have you ever bid in an online auction for … (1 comments)

reo: Transactional Funding and Agents - 03/07/11 03:48 PM
Transactional Funding and Agents Transactional funding is a fabulous tool when properly used but many novice investors are surprised to find their real estate agent resistant to the very concept. Upon closer questioning, it's not because of a bad experience much less any type of legal restrictions but rather confusion or even outright ignorance of the very existence of such a mechanism. The reality is that most agents and brokers never encounter transactional funding and are even less informed than most novice investors. Unless you have the good fortune to find an agent that has worked with someone who has used transactional funding … (0 comments)

reo: Making an Offer on REO Property - 02/25/11 12:28 PM
Making an Offer on that REO property
So you've decided that owning an REO Property is the best for you. Purchasing a foreclosed home can mean discounts, but doesn't mean less headaches than buying a regular home. Yes, lenders may be eager to dispose of such properties, and this only means they will find the quickest and easiest way to do this. So, if you want to make your offer accepted quickly, here are a few tips you can follow:
1) Make an all-inclusive offer - when you decide on a figure, make sure it includes all costs, such as closing … (0 comments)

reo: FHA Anti-Flippining Suspended - Humble, TX - 01/24/11 03:16 PM
FHA anti-flipping suspended for another year - Humble TX Investors Good NewsA classic real-estate flip involves the quick resale of a house or condominium at a significantly higher price than the purchaser paid with only cosmetic improvements to the property, if any at all. Sometimes only the contract itself is being signed over to a new buyer at a higher price.  For years the federal government prohibited the use of FHA mortgage financing by buyers purchasing homes from sellers who had owned the property for less than 90 days. The idea was to prevent speculators from defrauding the government through quick … (0 comments)

reo: Advising Investors on Short Sales v. REO's - 12/14/10 08:19 AM
Advising Investors on Short Sales v REO's
Property deals abound right now for real estate investors. However, knowing the ins and outs may keep both you and your investors from being surprised by things like hidden fees (penalties, unpaid taxes, etc.) as your property sale moves through the closing process.
REO or bank-owned properties have completed the foreclosure process and may be in worse condition than a short sale property. While they often close faster than a short sale, lenders are sometimes not willing to negotiate the price down very much. Even worse, the generally out-of-state bank is sometimes out of … (0 comments)

reo: Is Real Estate (Humble, TX) Better than Social Security - 11/29/10 03:05 PM
Is Real Estate better than Social Security? (Humble, TX)
Real Cost of Social Security Cuts versus Real Estate Reductions Investors on a fixed income or those thinking about retiring within the next few years are facing some of the most difficult decisions in decades; keep working as long as possible in order to build a better nest egg or try to "make do" and hope against all odds that your money holds out. It's not a simple choice especially with the dual threats of low interest rates combined with Social Security cuts. In fact, what may initially seem like minor modifications in … (0 comments)

reo: Rental Housing Search Engine - 11/29/10 02:55 PM
Rental Housing Search Engine
Have you seen this new search engine for rental houses?  There's finally a single place for rental hunters to search when looking for a new apartment or rental house. RentJungle.com pulls contents from the listings of thousands of other websites-7,219 sites and growing-and allows searchers to conveniently search one location. And for those investors with rental properties, if you're rentals are not already listed at sites that Rent Jungle pulls from, you can pay a small monthly fee to have your properties included on the site.
A spokesperson for the company claims Rent Jungle is capturing more … (6 comments)

reo: Short Sale Price Decline - 11/23/10 03:14 PM
Short Sale Price Decline
For those of you handling buyers of short sales or who have real estate investors interested in short sales, it looks like Thanksgiving has come a little early for you.
All the recent foreclosure paperwork problems (with the big banks being found out about using robo-signers) are causing some shoppers to stay away from distressed properties. This means more opportunity for you and your investors.
Campbell Surveys' conducts a monthly study of home sales and real estate market conditions and its October survey was answered by more than 3,000 real estate agents nationwide.
These servicing issues disrupted … (4 comments)

reo: Chase Bank and Foreclosure Prevention - 05/07/10 03:03 PM
Were You Aware that...
Chase Bank to Host Foreclosure Prevention Counseling
Chase Bank will host multiday foreclosure prevention counseling events in eight markets across the country.  The events will occur over the next five months and the first one will be held in Chicago from May 13-17. Events for Atlanta and Washington, D.C., will follow in June. Dates for the remaining markets - New York, Northern California, Orlando, Phoenix, and Southern California - have not yet been announced.
Now as a real estate investor, how can this benefit you?
Well, do you think that a lot of your prospects (homeowners facing … (2 comments)

reo: Does this Make YOU Think?? - 05/07/10 02:35 PM
This Post by Chris MclLaughlin made me stop and think..
 Friday File - 15 Minute Real Estate Investor Resolution!
 Earlier this week we spent some time discussing the potential ramifications related to the passage of HR 2499...the Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2010 as well as resources for securing foreclosure and REO data of the recent FDIC bank take-over's.
 Whether you agree or disagree with the proposal, the entire issue provides valuable food for thought when it comes to evaluating your marketing message.
 For example, did you know that...
- One of every seven people in the United States is of … (3 comments)

reo: 7 Reasons Women Invest in Real Estate - 04/09/10 04:15 AM
Seven Reasons Women Are Turning to Real Estate in Record Numbers
Think short sales and real estate investing is a guy's game? Think again. Women are making in-roads into real estate in a big way. Forget clipping coupons or trying to save up for a vacation, research shows that women have been making the majority of home buying decisions related to the purchase of a family home for several years but now many are taking it one step further. Women are now making investment decisions on a regular basis including the purchase of short sale real estate and other investment assets. … (4 comments)

reo: Getting a Loan Modification - 03/05/09 04:58 PM
Subject: Getting a Loan ModificationThousands of homeowners are turning to loan modification as a way to overcome mortgage difficulties brought on by the troubled housing market. It's a great option and if you think you may be in trouble, it's something you should strongly consider. Getting a loan modification, though, is no easy task.Use a loss mitigation company to negotiate on your behalf.While it is possible to negotiate directly with your lender, it is generally not recommended.There are many pitfalls that can cause your modification attempts to go awry. You'll want to apply for loss mitigation with a professional company that … (1 comments)

reo: Five Ways to Fund Your Short Sale Empire - 02/01/09 07:31 PM
Five Fast Ways to Fund Your Short Sale Empire
Are you an Average Joe just hoping to hang on to your job and making ends meet despite the faltering economy? Have you convinced yourself there is nothing more you can do to better your position in life than just sit by and wait for the other shoe to drop until you join the long lines of unemployment? Fortunately, not only are you wrong but the fact is, you are living in unprecedented times.
For the first time in decades there is now an opportunity to purchase real estate at a fraction … (2 comments)

reo: Some final 2008 Issues - 12/31/08 02:32 PM
GMAC Financial Services got a huge Christmas present this week when the Federal Reserve approved its application to become a bank holding company, thereby enabling it to tap into $700 billion of TARP rescue funds.  Not only will GMAC be able to tap into the bank stabilizing funds, it will also be able to borrow from the Fed's discount window for virtually no interest. 
Did you see these pretty cool amazon.com holiday facts they released:
*   Amazon.com sold enough "Breaking Dawn" books that stacked end to end they would reach the summit of Mt. Everest eight times.
*   During the period … (2 comments)

reo: Santa Claus and Mortgage Modification - 12/22/08 10:20 AM
Santa Claus and Mortgage Modification
We believe there is a Santa Claus!  And he loves to represent buyers in foreclosure and make a ton of money.  and then make sure you register for our upcoming Recession Proof Investing webinar! Click here
Mortgage applications continue to be on the rise given the low interest rate environment, and one prominent CEO signaled a turning point, according to the Wall Street Journal.  Bank of America CEO Kenneth Lewis said that mid-2009 would be the stabilizing point for house prices, and the bank recently reassigned over 300 loan processors from the home equity division to … (3 comments)

reo: Big 3 Automakers and Short Sales, Again - 12/18/08 03:11 PM
Mortgage rates continued to fall today as the Federal Reserve furthers its action plan to help stimulate demand for homes.  Freddie Mac announced that mortgage rates that are hovering around 5.19% this week for a 30 year fixed mortgage haven't been this low since 1979.  Today rates were at 5.0%.  Earlier this week the Fed cut the federal funds rate to a range of 0 to .25%. 
The Big 3 Automakers aren't going to add President Bush to their holiday cards after his comments today.  The President noted that the White House is considering an "orderly bankruptcy" instead of a bailout.  … (8 comments)

reo: Short Sales and FDIC Properties - 12/17/08 03:14 PM
How to Find FDIC Real Estate for Sale
While many short sale investors tend to focus on local bank owned properties, don't neglect FDIC asset auctions. Since fewer people are familiar with finding and buying FDIC owned assets, there tends to be less competition and thereby, lower prices. FDIC is often forced to assume the assets of individually failed banks; especially smaller entities which may not have been purchased or assumed by larger banking institutions.
To find out about FDIC owned properties call 888.372.FDIC (3342), (800) 568-9161 or visit http://www2.fdic.gov/drrore/index.asp to perform a property search. FDIC properties are sold "as-is" by … (4 comments)

reo: Are We at the Bottom Yet?? - 12/16/08 11:14 AM
Are we at the Bottom Yet??
The Federal Reserve as expected cut rates by 50 basis points bringing the prime rate to just 3.5%.  Will this help you jump start your investing??  Have your read ‘How to avoid the Top 5 Traps of Short Sales investing'?  Maybe you should join read this and then join us as we keep up with the daily news from Capitol Hill about real estate.
If you haven't seen this CBS "60 Minutes" video on the second wave of foreclosures, you need to watch it right now.  Stop what you're doing.  Go NOW and watch this.  … (6 comments)

reo: TARP and keeping up with the Industry - 12/11/08 02:25 PM
Do you think it's time for the real estate investor to help??  Have you read "How to Overcome the Top 5 Traps in Short Sales"?
Ouch!   The Government Accountability Office, along with the Congressional Oversight Panel for Economic Stabilization, blasted the Treasury Department's management of the $700 billion TARP program.  The 38 page document noted that "Treasury cannot simply trust that the financial institutions will act in the desired ways; it must verify." The report further commented that the Treasury had "administrated the TARP without seeking to monitor the use of funds provided to specific financial institutions."
And other eyes were … (2 comments)

reo: Call Those Fence Sitting Investors..The time is Now - 12/03/08 03:21 PM
Listen up folks.  You need to start calling your investors ...calling those fence sitters that have been sitting too long. I'm sure you have heard this. The Federal Reserve just said they are going to start buying Treasury notes and bonds.  Let's review some of what Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke said recently in Austin, Texas:
"The second arrow in the Federal Reserve's quiver - the provision of liquidity - remains effective," he said. "The Fed could purchase longer-term Treasury or agency securities on the open market in substantial quantities. This approach might influence the yields on these securities, thus helping to … (6 comments)