Investing in Short Sales

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Okay, Mr./Mrs. Moneybucks, so you you have a little stash of cash set aside and you’ve been listening to market trends and keeping a keen eye on the real estate market. Now you’re thinking that today is the perfect time to buy real estate low and sell high later. Well, congratulations! You’re right!

Real estate market values are at a record low compared to what they were just a few short years ago, and with the mortgage mess going on thanks to the promises of adjustable rates, the short sale market is sadly becoming a growing trend. The potential to buy a property listed as a short sale at up to a 50% discount is becoming a reality, and for savvy investors looking towards real estate again as another way to diversify their portfolio, they’re in luck!

Most short sales can be purchased with a real estate agent, in fact, I highly recommend using a real estate agent because there is a ton of paperwork to contend with, not to mention the guidelines of dealing with real estate in general. However, there are ways to learn how to find short sales on your own and how to deal with lenders directly to purchase short sales.

Which ever way you decide to find and purchase your next investment, remember to take some time to plan out what you’re going to do once you have the property. Are you going to rent it out? Are you going to fix it up and flip it? Planning is the key to any successful investment– that includes planning for any unforeseen events. But I have faith in you. You’re smart and even smarter for reading Free-RealEstate-Tips.com!

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Categories: Buying Investing Short Sales and Foreclosures

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Room By Room Renting

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Congratulations on investing in real estate! A savvy move for the organized, prepared, and patient investor!

I know your smart and you’ve done your research. You have reviewed any Property Owner Association documents for any restrictions or guidelines that you must abide by, and now you’re ready to get some tenants in there and make some money! What’s that you say? You also know how much the average rental amount is for rentals in the neighborhood? That’s great! But is that rental amount per home or per room?

In some cases, renting out rooms versus the entire home may be more lucrative. There are some pros and cons to consider, but with a little bit of planning, you may find that you might prefer to offer room by room renting.

Pros:

  • Lower rent amounts give you a broader range of qualified applicants.
  • In most states, room by room renting gives you greater control over who can rent a room — i.e., women only, etc.
  • If one room tenant fails to pay their rent, you may still get paid from the others. Some rent is better than no rent!
  • You can charge different amounts for different room sizes or amenities.
  • Individual room rental amounts may add up to more than what you could get renting the entire home to a single tenant.

Cons:

  • More tenants, means more paperwork and organization.
  • You’ll have to find a way split utility payments among the tenants, although your tenants can manage this.
  • Individual tenants may mean more neglect to prepare for in common areas such as the kitchen or laundry area.

So weigh your options, and think about your own pros and cons to room by room renting. Good luck!

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Categories: Investing Property Management

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Loss Mitigation Contact Numbers

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Are you behind on your mortgage payments? Do you think you are going to have trouble paying your mortgage in the near future? Read my post entitled “Can’t Pay Your Mortgage” for more information. Or maybe you’re interested in investing in property in pre-foreclosure status? If so, you may find this information helpful: a compiled list of loss mitigation department contact numbers and websites of various lenders that you (or your listing agent) may need.

ABM-AMRO Mortgage (800) 783-8900

Web: https://www.mortgage.com/C3/application.bus

Accredited Home Lenders(877) 683-4466

AMC Mortgage Services (Also handles loans originated by Ameriquest and Argent) (800) 211-6926

1600 McConnor Parkway

Schaumburg, IL 60173

Web: https://www.myamcloan.com/malwebapp/begin.do

American Home Mortgage Corp.(877) 304-3100*

Ameriquest Mortgage (Debt collection — see AMC Mortgage Services) (800) 211-6926

Aurora Loan Services (Debt collection) (800) 550-0508

By Overnight Mail:

601 5th Avenue

Scottsbluff, NE 69361

Attn: Customer Service

By Regular Mail:

P.O. Box 1706

Scottsbluff, NE 69363

E-mail: ccnmail@alservices.com

Web: https://www.alservices.com/Consumer/UI/SSL/…UI%2fSSL%2fServ icing%2fDefault.aspx

Avelo Mortgage LLC (866) 992-8356*

Bank of America(800) 846-2222

BB&T Mortgage (800) 827-3722*

AmTrust Bank (fka Ohio Savings Bank) (888) 696-4444

Beneficial (800) 333-5848

Central Pacific Bank (800) 342-8422*

Charter One (800) 234-6002

Chase (800) 446-8939

Chase Home Finance (800) 848-9136 (customer service) (858) 605-2181 (delinquency customer service)

Chase Home Finance-New Jersey(800) 446-8939*Chevy Chase Bank(800) 933-9100*

Web: https://chaseonline.chase.com/chaseonline/l…mp;LOB=COLLogon

Chase Manhattan Mortgage

(800) 446-8939 (Ohio Servicing Center)

(800) 526-0072 (Florida Servicing Center)

(800) 527-3040 x533 (Florida Servicing Center)

Chevy Chase Bank (800) 933-9100

Web: https://www.chevychasebank.com/htm/payment.html (Payment Addresses)

Citi Financial Mortgage (800) 753-3673

Citimortgage (800) 283-7918

Countrywide (800) 262-4218 or (877) 744-7691

https://customers.countrywide.com/se…t_login254.asp

Ditech (800) 852-0656 (800) 449-8582

Downey Financial Corp.(800) 824-6902, ext. 6696

Deutsche Bank National Call Number on Mortgage Statement

EMC 800-723-3004

P.O. Box 141358

Irving, TX 75014-1358

Web: https://www.emcmortgageservicing.com…cnsecurity.asp

EverBank (800) 669-7724 ext. 4730

Equity One (Debt collection) (866) 361-3460

First Horizon Home Loans (800) 489-2966*

Fifth Third Bank (800) 375-1745 Option 3

First Merit Bank (888) 728-9931

Flagstar Bank (800) 968-7700, ext. 9780

Fremont Investment & Loan (866) 484-0291

GMAC Mortgage (800) 850-4622

GreenPoint Mortgage Funding (800) 784-5566, ext. 5383*

Green Tree (877) 816-9125

Homecomings Financial (800) 850-4622*

HomeEq Mortgage Servicing ( Debt collection) (866) 822-1471

Household Finance (A HSBC Co.) (800) 333-5848

Household Mortgage (800) 333-4489

HSBC Mortgage (800) 338-6441

Default Resolution Team (if long term problem)

2929 Walden Avenue

Depew, NY 14043

(888) 648-3124 Loss Mit

(732) 352-7519 Fax

Web:http://us.hsbc.com/personal/mortgage…fficulties.asp

Huntington National Bank (800) 323-4695

Indymac Bank (877) 736-5556

C/O Loan Resolution Department

P.O Box 7014

Pasadena, CA 91107

(Monday – Friday 6:15am-7:15pm. (Pacific Time))

Web: https://www.indymacbank.com/contactu…Resolution.asp

Irwin Mortgage (888) 218-1988

P.O Box 7014

Pasadena, CA 91107

Web: https://www.irwinmortgage.com/wps/portal/&#…3sdAvyHZUBAAqwx 9c

E-mail: deliquency.prevention@irwinmortgage.com

James B. Nutter & Company (800) 315-7334

Key Bank (800) 422-2442

LaSalle National Bank (800) 783-8900

Litton Loan Servicing (800) 999-8501 or (800) 548-8665

Fax (713) 966-8820

4828 Loop Central Drive

Houston, Texas 77081-2226

Web: https://www.littonloan.com/index.asp

Loss Mitigation Department Hours:

Monday Eastern: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Central:8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Mountain:7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Pacific:6 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Tuesday-Thursday Eastern:9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Central:8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Mountain:7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Pacific:6 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Friday Eastern:10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Central:9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Mountain:8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Pacific:7 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Default Counseling Department representatives are also available most weekends on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (CST).

Midland Mortgage (800) 552-3000 or (800) 654-4566

Web: https://www.mymidlandmortgage.com/My…ogin/Login.asp

Mortgage Lenders Network (800) 691-0129

E-mail: customerservice@mlnusa.com

Web: http://www.mlnusa.com/customers/info_credithelp.asp

Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems (888) 679-6377

National City (800) 367-9305, Ext. 53221 or (800) 523-8654

Attention: Homeowner’s Assistance

3232 Newmark Dr.

Miamisburg, Ohio 45342

(8AM-10:30PM ET, Monday – Thursday)

(8AM-5PM ET, Friday)

(8AM-Noon, Saturday)

Web: http://www.nationalcitymortgage.com/…assistance.asp

Nationwide Advantage Mortgage Company (800) 356-3442, ext. 6002*

NationStar Mortgage (888) 850-9398* Press 0 for operator

New Century Financial Now Carrington Mortgage Services (800) 790-9502 or (877) 206-9904

(6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday – Thursday)

(6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Friday)

Web: https://myloan.newcentury.com/webapps/servi…yloans/index.do

NovaStar Mortgage Loan Resolution Department (888) 743-0774 Non-English: (888) 743-0774, ext. 4523

Ocwen Federal Bank (800) 746-2936 or (877) 596-8560

Web: http://www.ocwencustomers.com/csc_fa.cfm

Attention: Financial Information

12650 Ingenuity Drive

Orlando, Florida 32826

or

Ocwen Financial Corporation

1661 Worthington Rd., Suite 100

West Palm Beach, Florida 33409

Phone: 877-226-2936

For serving Ocwen with legal process, please send to their registered agent:

Corporation Service Company

2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400

Wilmington, DE 19808

Phone: 561-682-8000, x8386

Option One (866) 711-1962 or (888) 275-2648

Web: http://www.oomc.com/servicing/servicing_baifaqs.asp

PHH Mortgage (Formerly Cendant) (800) 257-0460

For borrowers facing possible delinquency: (800) 330-0423*

For borrowers in the foreclosure process: (800) 750-2518

ResMae Mortgage Corp.(877) 473-7623, ext. 5944

Saxon (800) 665-7367

Select Portfolio Servicing (888) 818-6032

Fax: (801) 293-3936

Loan Resolution Department

P.O. Box 65250

Salt Lake City, UT 84165-0250

(Monday – Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. EST)

(Friday 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. EST)

(Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. EST)

Web: http://www.spservicing.com/services/custom…nresolution.htm

SkyBank (800) 290-3359

Sun Trust Mortgage (800) 634-7928

PO Box 26149

Richmond, VA 23260-6149

Mail Code RVW 3003Web: https://www.suntrustmortgage.com/generalquestions.asp#

Third Federal Savings (888) 844-7333

US Bank (800) 365-7900

Wachovia Bank of Delaware (866) 642-8608

Washington Mutual (866) 926-8937 or (888) 453-3102 or (800) 478-0036 or (800) 254-3677

Waterfield Mortgage (800) 957-7245

Fax: (260) 459-5390

c/o Loss Mitigation Dept.

7500 W. Jefferson Blvd.

Fort Wayne, IN 46804

(7 am – 10 pm EST Monday – Thursday)

(7 am – 9 pm EST Fridays)

(8 am – 2 pm EST Saturdays)

E-Mail: saveyourhome@waterfield.com

Web: http://www.waterfield.com/scripts/cgiip.ex…rvices/delqasst

Wells Fargo (877) 216-8448 or (866) 261-5642 or (800)766-0987 or (800) 678-7986 for payment assistance

Borrower Counseling Services

Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., CT

Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., CT

Web: https://www.wellsfargo.com/mortgage/account/

Wendover Financial Services Corporation (800) 934-1081 or (800) 436-1022

Web: http://www.wendover.com/borrowers.html

Wilshire Credit Corporation (888) 502-0100

P.O. Box 8517

Portland, OR 97207-8517

From 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Pacific time) Monday through Friday

Web: http://www.wfsg.com/borrower/borrower.aspx

(Lender/Servicer Loss Mitigation Phone Numbers & Contact Information created by Moe Bedard of Corona, CA, reposted here at CircleDebt.com.)

Categories: Investing Short Sales and Foreclosures

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Home Inspections

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home inspections

You got an offer on your house and after numerous counter offers, everyone is finally happy with the terms (including your real estate agent!). Besides the appraisal report, the next dreaded step that buyers and sellers fear is the home inspection. Sellers worry that the inspector will nit-pick miscellaneous items that may deter buyers, and buyers worry that their future dream home could be riddled with problems.

Home inspectors are not evil. They were not put on this planet to destroy the hopes and dreams of home buyers and home sellers. They are trained professionals whose duty it is to ensure that a house in question is sound, livable and up to code, and to point out items that need to be repaired immediately or in the future.

Sellers, you can avoid nit-picking fears by tending to repairs that are obvious. Do a home inspection of your own and try to view things objectively.

Buyers, just because the home inspector has a long list of items in the report doesn’t mean that the house is in shambles. Go over the list of items, talk to the inspector, get estimates of repairs or replacements. You’ll feel much better if you get a better understanding of the seriousness of the findings.

Categories: Buying Selling

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The Importance of Intelligent Pricing

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One thing home sellers need to understand is that the price their home will sell for is based on what buyers are willing to pay after comparing similar homes in the area. Pricing is not necessarily based on what the neighbor sold their house for last week because the market is constantly changing. Yes, sold, under contract and active homes are taken into consideration, but the driving price is still what buyers are willing to pay.

The comparable market analysis report provided by a real estate agent is a tool used for establishing a list price baseline. The real estate agent knows that days on market and timing are other factors to consider as well as condition of the home. But there’s even more to it than that and the real estate agent knows it. Take a look at this diagram:

House Pricing Pyramid

As you can see, a home will have more potential buyers if it is priced at market value rather than above market value, and more potential buyers at below market value. Intelligent pricing along with proper timing can help get your home sold quickly and at the best price possible.

Categories: Selling

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Getting Paid On Time

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As a landlord, you are bound to face the reality that your tenant may not always pay on time. If you are depending on that rental payment to cover the mortgage payment on that property and you receive the rental payment late, then your mortgage payment may be late as well.

But don’t fret, here are a few things you can add to your lease agreement to encourage on-time payments and discourage late payments:

  • Include an early-bird discount. For example, if your lessee pays 5 days before the payment due date, knock off $50.00 as a discount.
  • Include a late fee amount. No one wants to pay extra for being late. How much should the late fee amount be? You could make it similar to the amount the late fee would be for the mortgage payment.
  • Include a 5-Day Pay Or Quit clause. This is actually the start of an eviction process, but making sure that the tenants see the clause in agreement may discourage them from paying late.

Your tenants should also know that on-time or early payments will be noted by you, should they ever need a future reference.

Categories: Property Management

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Choices That Affect a Mortgage Payment Amount

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  • Mortgage term. Mortgages are generally available at 15-, 20-, or 30-year terms. The longer the term, the lower the monthly payment if the same amount is borrowed. However, you pay more interest overall if you borrow for a longer term.
  • Fixed or adjustable interest rate. A fixed rate allows you to lock in a low rate for as long as you hold the mortgage and is usually a good choice if interest rates are low. An adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) is designed so that interest rates will rise as interest rates increase; however they usually offer a lower rate in the first years of the mortgage. ARMs also usually have a limit as to how much the interest rate can be increased and how frequently they can be raised. ARMs are a good choice when interest rates are high or when you expect your income to grow significantly in the coming years.
  • Balloon mortgages. Balloon mortgages offer very low interest rates for a short period of time—often three to seven years. Payments usually cover only the interest, so the principal owed is not reduced. However, this type of loan may be a good choice if you think you will sell your home in a few years.
  • Government-backed loans. Government-backed loans, sponsored by agencies such as the Federal Housing Administration (www.fha.gov) or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (www.va.gov), offer special terms, including lower down payments or reduced interest rates—to qualified buyers.

Categories: Buying

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Creative Ways to Afford a Home

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  1. Investigate local, state, and national downpayment assistance programs. These programs give loans or grants to cover all or part of your required downpayment. National programs include the Nehemiah program (http://www.getdownpayment.com) and the American Dream Downpayment Fund from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (http://www.hud.gov).
  2. Get the seller to provide financing. In some cases, sellers may be willing to finance all or part of the purchase price of the home and let you repay them gradually, just as you do a mortgage.
  3. Consider a shared-appreciation, or shared equity, arrangement. Under this arrangement, your family, friends, or even a third-party may buy a portion of the home and thus share in any appreciation when the home is sold. The owner/occupant usually pays the mortgage, property taxes, and all maintenance costs, but all investors’ names are usually on the mortgage. There are companies that can help you find such an investor if your family can’t participate.
  4. Get help from your family. Perhaps a family member will loan you money for the downpayment and/or act as a cosigner for the mortgage. Lenders often like to have a cosigner if you have little credit history.
  5. Lease with the option to buy. Renting the home for a year or more will give you the chance to save more toward your down payment. And in many cases, owners will apply some of the rental amount toward the purchase price. You usually have to pay a small, nonrefundable option fee to the owner.
  6. See if you can qualify for a short-term second mortgage to give you the money to make a higher downpayment. This may be possible if you have a good income and little other debt.

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Categories: Buying Investing

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Landlord Virgin

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So, Mr. Roper, you think you found the perfect rental property, huh? And this is your first one too? Congratulations! You’ve realized that real estate is a great investment, especially long term, and if you played your cards right, you may be able to generate positive cash flow each month. Let’s take a moment review a checklist of items you need to consider for your newly acquired rental, and before you know it, you’ll be on your way to the joys of property management:

  • Draw up a lease that protects you and your property.
  • Get to know the people in the neighborhood. Exchange phone numbers if possible.
  • Do a credit and background check on all your applicants.
  • Determine where you want to receive the rental payments.
  • Make sure you know the condition and state of all major appliances. Be prepared for repairs.
  • Make sure you know the condition and state of interior and exterior structures. Are the pipes old? How old is the roof? Set funds aside if needed.
  • Set a schedule for annual maintenance and don’t forget about it! Neglecting general maintenance can have expensive repercussions.
  • Get a market analysis report from a local real estate agent to help set your rental price.
  • Do a pre-move-in walk-through with your renters and include photographs.
  • Know the eviction process in the property’s jurisdiction.

A lease is a legal contract and your best bet is to consult with a real estate attorney for advice about terms you can include in your rental agreement.

These are just a few items to consider, but you’re smart, you’ll do well! Good luck and happy landlording!

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Categories: Investing Property Management

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