TIPS FOR BUYERS
YOU FOUND A FORECLOSURE TO BUY! 
MAKING AN OFFER ON A FORECLOSURE
IN THIS FABULOUS BUYER'S MARKET, BE SURE TO DO YOUR HOMEWORK.
1) BE SURE TO LOOK AT WHAT HAS SOLD IN THE PAST 3 MONTHS. 6 MONTHS AGO, PRICES WERE DIFFERENT SO IT IS IMPORTANT TO SEE THE MOST RECENT SALES.
2) LOOK AT WHAT ELSE IS ON THE MARKET AS DIRECT COMPETITION. IF YOU FINALLY FIND A HOME THAT YOU REALLY CAN SEE YOURSELF LIVING IN, HAVE YOUR REALTOR GIVE YOU THE OTHER HOMES THAT ARE CURRENTLY ON THE MARKET THAT HAVE THE SAME SQUARE FOOTAGE AND BEDROOMS, YEAR BUILT ETC SO YOU CAN SEE IF THE LISTING PRICE IS IN LINE WITH OTHER PROPERTIES THAT ARE CURRENTLY BEING MARKETED IN THE AREA. CHANCES ARE, THE FORECLOSURE IS LISTED BELOW MARKET.
3) DON'T BE AFRAID IF THERE ARE MULTIPLE OFFERS ON THE TABLE. GO FORWARD WITH YOUR HIGHEST AND BEST OFFER. CHANCES ARE, YOU WILL GET IT!
4) DON'T LOW BALL THE BANKS. IF YOU SEND IN AN OFFER WAY BELOW WHAT THE PROPERTY IS LISTED AT, CHANCES ARE YOU WILL BE OUT BIDDED.
5) IF THE PROPERTY HAS BEEN ON THE MARKET FOR 60 DAYS OR BETTER AND THERE IS NO OFFER, NOW WOULD BE THE TIME TO MAKE A LOWER OFFER. IF YOU ARE WORKING WITH A REALTOR, THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE YOU THE TIME FRAME THE HOME HAS BEEN ON THE MARKET.
6) DO NOT PURCHASE A FORECLOSURE WAIVING YOUR RIGHT TO INSPECTIONS. THE ONLY TIME YOU WOULD POSSIBLY WANT TO DO THIS WOULD BE IF YOU ARE AN INVESTOR OR IF YOU PERSONALLY KNOW THE PROPERTY. THERE COULD BE UNFORSEEN THINGS GOING ON THAT CANNOT BE SEEN BY THE NAKED EYE. INPSECTIONS RUN ANYWHERE FROM $300 TO $600 DOLLARS AND ARE BASED ON THE SQUARE FOOTAGE OF THE HOME. YOU MAY ALSO WANT AN INSPECTION FOR A WDO REPORT (WOOD DESTROYING ORGANISM REPORT), POOL INSPECTION AND SEPTIC TANK INSPECTION. THERE ARE ALSO MOLD INSPECTIONS WHICH ARE A REALLY GOOD IDEA ESPECIALLY IN FLORIDA WHEN A HOME SITS VACANT FOR A LONG TIME WITHOUT ELECTRICITY.
7) MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A PRE-APPROVAL FROM YOUR LENDER TO SEND IN WITH YOUR OFFER. MOST BANKS WON'T EVEN LOOK AT YOUR OFFER IF YOU DON'T HAVE A LETTER FROM YOUR LENDER STATING THAT YOU HAVE BEEN AT LEAST PRE-QUALIFIED.
8) WHEN YOU PICK A CLOSING, DATE, MAKE IT REASONABLE. THE BANKS DON'T WISH TO WAIT MORE THAN 6 WEEKS. THE SOONER THE BETTER BUT REMEMBER YOU MUST ALLOW ENOUGH TIME FOR YOUR LENDER TO GET THE PACKAGE TO UNDERWRITING AND THEN BACK AGAIN TO THE TITLE COMPANY WHO IS DOING THE CLOSING. DURING THIS TIME FRAME THERE MAY BE CONTINGENCIES THAT WILL NEED TO BE MET AND THE UNDERWRITER MAY REQUIRE ADDITIONAL ITEMS THAT COULD DELAY THINGS. 4-6 WEEKS IF GETTING LOAN IS REASONABLE IN THIS MARKET. CASH BUYERS CAN CLOSE ALOT SOONER.
THESE ARE THE BASICS. EVERY PURCHASE IS DIFFERENT AND I HAVE NOT HAD ONE CLOSING LIKE THE OTHER.
IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BUYING PROCESS, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME. I CAN GLADLY WALK YOU THROUGH THE PROCESS. IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY WORKING WITH A REALTORS, YOU MAY WANT TO ASK THEM FOR THE ABOVE INFORMATION.
PATTY RITSON, WEICHERT REALTORS, HALLMARK PROPERTIES ~ 352-636-2655
REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL WITH 18 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WORKING FOR YOU~
WISHING YOU SUCCESS IN YOUR NEGOTIATIONS!!!!
