Common mistakes made when looking for short sale homes

Rehabilitating distressed homes is a popular way to make money in the real estate business. When you are starting out rehabbing can give you many sleepless nights and stress. Short sales are a great way to begin your real estate career, however, there are some mistakes many new investors make when attempting to complete a short sale.

You have read “short sale” four times now, but what are they? Basically, a short sale is when an owner of property agrees to sell even though the net profits will not cover all the debt associated with the home. As long as all parties that own the property agree to the terms of the sale you are able to buy it. If you know how your contacts you could end up with a great home, however, if you skip a few steps you could have a lemon on your hands.

What should you be on the lookout for when considering a short sale

One of the first things you should look out for when considering a short sale property is fraud. There are many laws and practices that are in place to protect from any fraud that may happen. Perpetrators are usually taken care of by the proper authorities. While there are, many resolved cases, there are many victims that fall for the scheme.

One of the most popular schemes that people are fooled by is “flopping.” Flopping occurs when a buyer or a hard money lender in California is offer a price that does not accurately represent the value of the home. Usually, victims end up paying much more than the actual value of the home.

To make it easier to understand, the owner or lien holder will withhold information from the lender about buying the property for a low price. After they will list the property at a higher value to another buyer. Once the buyer confirms they want to pay the “fake” price. After the deal is concluded the owner pockets the difference.

Use these precautions to help combat fraud

For starters, if you are the one that is buying the home one of the first things you should do is go through the home. Make sure you take time out to go through every nook crawlspace in the home. With short sales, you are able to take a walk through of the home before you commit to purchasing it. Many foreclosed homes will have underlying cosmetic issues that you cannot always see.

Things like foundation repair, mold and mildew or electrical malfunctions can cost you more money in the end. Make sure you have the proper professionals come to clear the home for anything you might feel is wrong.

In regard to the proper authorities, hard money lenders in California also want to make sure the property is appraised by a trusted building inspector. Having an extra pair of eyes will make sure nothing slips through the cracks. When taking on a short sale make sure you cover all your loose ends.

About the Author: Dennis has been working in the real estate industry in some capacity for the last 40 years. He purchased his first property when he was just 18 years old. He quickly learned about the amazing investment opportunities provided by trust deed investing and hard money loans. His desire to help others make money in real estate investing led him to specialize in alternative funding for real estate investors who may have trouble getting a traditional bank loan. Dennis is passionate about alternative funding sources and sharing his knowledge with others to help make their dreams come true. Dennis has been married to his wonderful wife for 42 years. They have 2 beautiful daughters 5 amazing grandchildren. Dennis has been an Arizona resident for the past 40 years.