Traps a Hernando County Real Estate First Time Buyer Should Look For

Looking Out For Common First Time Buyer Missteps

 

No matter how broad your previous life experiences may have been, buying a home is a very big deal. For a first time buyer, whether here in Spring Hill FL or anywhere else, the impact of that life-changing purchase is doubly impactful. It affects different people in different ways, but after the dust clears, there is one emotion I never want my Hernando County first-time buyer clients to feel: remorse.

You might think that the size of the transaction makes it wildly unlikely that even a first time buyer would overlook any major missteps. After all, when you are new to such an important purchase, you are bound to be extra cautious. Yet when you consider the challenging distractions along the way (going through your first mortgage approval process; scraping together a down payment; learning how inspections proceed, etc.) it’s easy to see how they can trip up a first time buyer. Getting any one of them dealt with can become a main preoccupation…so much so, that seemingly minor issues get overlooked. It’s part of my job to do my best to see that my Hernando County first time buyer clients stay vigilant on all fronts.

Common concerns to watch for:

Foundation Problems Related To SinkHole Activity – The true frustration of dealing with a home with foundation problems is something a first time buyer may not fully appreciate. They aren’t for the faint of heart (or the faint of pocket book).  Foundation problems can cost $50,000 for even a simple fix — but a first time home buyer usually doesn’t have that expectation. If an inspection reveals any sort of foundation issue, it’s an absolute ‘must’ to call in the experts to assess the severity of the problem – no matter what the time pressures may be. A search through public record and permiting records can help quickly identify any previous settlement issues which may have been recorded in the county. Keep in mind however, if a home has been remediated, the seller must be able to provide a full engineering completion report. In those cases, assuming the documentation is proper, its a pretty safe bet that the issue has been resolved and there will not be a future worry. Expert advise and reviews are also the proper course of action, the Team at Agent Trust has extensive knowledge in this area so dont hesitate to ask any questions you may be thinking.

Faulty Siding –  Expensive to fix and ugly to look at, improperly-installed siding was a big problem in the 1980s and 1990s. While many of those issues have been addressed by now, bad siding can still plague a new homeowner.  Believe it or not, it can cost as much as $25,000 to $150,000 to replace. Anyone considering a home built in the 80’s or 90’s should be sure to pay extra attention to the siding during inspections.

Special Assessments – Real Estate Agents in Hernando County and all areas for that matter dread seeing the words “special assessment” on a listing: these are additional costs to a homeowner in a condo or homeowners association that any project, repair or unexpected cost can trigger.  The cost to re-side a condominium complex, for example, can easily run into the $100,000 range, typically divided among the homeowners.

Rental Homes In Hernando County- Hot Market After Foreclosure Uptick

 

Rental Homes Uptick Follows Foreclosure Glut

Foreclosures Draw Hernando County Real Estate Investors’ Attention

The housing market’s new signs of recovery are accompanied by continued life in the rental homes investment market. Alert investors picked up on the earlier foreclosure epidemic – especially this year’s income stream-producing variety. ‘Buy low, sell high’ had largely become ‘buy low, rent high’ as rising rental rates met swooning residential prices. Although housing’s bottom appears to have been reached and newly reversed, Hernando County Real Estate rental homes rates are still subject to the general uptick. In short, opportunities for investors remain.

We’ve talked about the topic earlier, but for those who missed it, here’s a thumbnail review:

The foreclosure market draws attention.

This spring, newspapers like the L.A. Times widely trumpeted the investment rush that was underway due to the raft of nationwide foreclosures. Data tracker CoreLogic predicted a market that could be “worth $100 billion in terms of rental investments” for 2012. The idea was to “get your hands on a great foreclosure deal” with the long term in mind. Many investors did take them up on it, usually realizing the intended results. For most investors who continue to keep tabs on Spring Hill Florida rental homes market, the most common strategy remains buying low, then making the repairs necessary to rent high.

Rental home rental rates climb.

Although you’d usually expect an inverse relationship between home prices and rental rates, the signs of an apparent turnaround in the Hernando County Real Estate homes market doesn’t seem to have had much of an impact on the rate of rental increases. If that holds, it means that buying rental homes in Spring Hill FL as an investment could continue to produce for the foreseeable future – depending, of course, on keeping them occupied by quality tenants. Which finally leads us to….

Increase in renters

As part of the fallout from the financial crisis and maddeningly slow recovery we are still experiencing, a continuing stream of those forced to default on their mortgage payments have joined the ranks of renters – many of them high quality tenants. That’s an added incentive to Hernando County rental homes investors, allowing them to feel more comfortable spending on the repairs often needed to turn foreclosures into a desirable rental homes.  

Foreclosure Sales In Hernando County- Landing The Deal

Market Preparation Helps Hernando County Foreclosure Buyers

Foreclosure Wave Could Also Signal Opportunity

 

If you are organized and willing to put in some serious spadework, buying a Hernando County foreclosure can save you thousands of dollars. A new wave of foreclosures could be heading our way later this year. According to RealtyTrac, the leading source of foreclosure statistics, one in every 665 national housing units received a foreclosure filing in June. More foreclosures mean more opportunities; but it also means that more buyers will begin to think seriously about going after them. In other words – more competition.

If you have never looked into what is involved in snagging one of the foreclosures in our area, a few basics will greatly improve your chances for success:

 

Do Your Research So You Can Act Quickly.

The foreclosure market performs differently from the traditional market. Arming yourself with accurate comps and knowledge of Hernando County trends will enable you to recognize the right opportunity as soon as it arises – ideally, before other buyers catch wind of it. Working with a knowledgeable agent who keeps you informed is the quickest way to get up to speed. It will help you avoid being dragged into bidding wars with other deal-shopping buyers. Since under-bidding will cause you to miss the best opportunities, and over-bidding will defeat your whole purpose, up-to-the-moment market knowledge is essential for formulating a canny offer.

Weigh in With Cash.

Time is an important factor in buying a Hernando County foreclosure. Your goal is the same as the seller’s: to close the sale as quickly as possible. Naturally, paying cash up front is the simplest route to a speedy closing. If you are buying as an investment, that means targeting only properties that are within your financial reach. As Ron Peltier of HomeServices of America puts it, “A cash buyer who can close in 10 days can certainly get the best deal.” Since closing on a house via traditional mortgage can take anywhere from 30 to 60 days, it is clear which route sellers prefer.

3. Create Clean Offers.

If, like many of my clients, you can’t really afford to propose an all-cash deal, you can still create an offer that lands your foreclosure. Writing a clean offer – one with simple terms and serious cash down — can bring a favorable reaction. Let’s face it: bank officers don’t want to fuss with complicated terms or repairs. A buyer with 20% down, a confirming loan and an “as-is” offer will get a lot more consideration than a buyer with an FHA loan and a minimal deposit. Success means targeting foreclosures at a price point where you can afford to put as much down as possible…then being ready to get dirty and make any needed repairs yourself.

As with any vigorous market, participants need to play by the rules or else be stuck on the sidelines. If you are considering buying a Hernando County foreclosure and are looking for an experienced agent to stand by your side, call me — and let’s get to work!

 

Looking For Foreclosure Listings In Hernando County Florida

Interested in REO Listings In Hernando County Florida or a foreclosure in Hernando County?

What’s an REO?

“REO” or Real Estate Owned are properties which have completed the foreclosure process and are currently owned by the bank or mortgage company. This is different than real estate up for foreclosure auction. Agent Trust Realty has experience to share with foreclosures and bank owned properties in Hernando County, Florida

If you buy a property during a foreclosure sale, you must pay at least the loan balance plus any interest and other fees added during the foreclosure process. The buyer must also be able to pay with cash in hand. Finally, you’ll accept the property 100% as is.That could involve existing liens and even current denizens that need to be evicted. This process is generally known as “buying on the court house steps” This can be a very risky process and is generally more reserved for experienced investors with large capital and experience who also usually have a higher risk tollerance and is usally not for the amateur.

A bank-owned property, by contrast, is a more tidy and attractive option. The REO property did not find a buyer during foreclosure auction. The lender now owns it. The bank will see to the elimination of tax liens, evict occupants if needed and generally organize for the issuance of a title insurance policy to the buyer at closing. These are generally listed for sale in the local Hernando MLS systems, and can be a great value when acompanied with the guidance of an experienced realtor such as Tina Fingerman.

Note that REOs may be exempt from typical disclosure requirements. For example, in Florida, it is optional for foreclosures to have a Property Disclosure Statement, a document that ordinarily requires sellers to tell you about any defects they are informed of. By hiring Agent Trust Realty, you can rest assured knowing all parties are fulfilling Florida state disclosure requirements.

Am I assured a low price when purchasing a Foreclosure property in Hernando County?

It is frequently believed that any REO must be a good deal and an opportunity for easy money. This isn’t always true. You have to be prudent about buying a repossession if your intent is make money. While it’s true that the bank is often eager to offload it promptly, they are also motivated to minimize any losses.

Agent Trust Realty has experience to share with foreclosures and bank owned properties in Hernando County, Florida When considering what to pay for a foreclosure, carefully analyze comparable sales in the neighborhood and be sure to take into account the time and cost of any repairs or remodeling needed to prepare the house for resale. There are bargains with potential to make money, and many people do very well buying and selling foreclosures. However there are also many REOs that are not good buys and may not be money makers.

All set to make an offer on A Foreclsoure in Hernando County Florida?

Most banks have a department dedicated to REO that you’ll work with when buying REO property from them. Usually the REO department will use a listing agent to get their REO properties listed on the local MLS.

Before making your offer, you’ll want to contact either the listing agent or REO department at the bank and learn as much as you can about what they know concerning the condition of the property and what their process is for getting offers. Since banks typically sell REO properties “as is”, it may be in your best interest to include an inspection contingency in your offer that gives you time to check for unseen damage and retract the offer if you find it. If, as a buyer, you can provide documentation proving your ability to pay, such as a pre-approval letter from a lender, your offer will be more attractive and likely be accepted. (This holds for any type of real estate offer.)

Once you’ve made your offer, it’s customary for the bank to respond with a counter offer. At this point it will be your decision whether to accept their counter, or offer a counter to the counter offer. Be aware, you’ll be dealing with a process that probably involves a group of people at the bank, and they don’t work evenings or weekends. It’s not unusual for the process of offers and counter offers to take days or even weeks. Agent Trust Realty is are used to working around the schedules of this type of seller and will do everything possible to ensure there are no unnecessary delays.