Win/Win Investments Using Owner Financing

16 December, 2009

Owner financing occurs when the owner of a property is willing to hold a note on a piece of Charlotte investment property that he/she wants to sell. The financing can be for the price of the property in full or a part of it. This is based on the need of the buyer. In the normal course, most sellers would not like to carry a mortgage. But the eagerness to sell the property without much delay as well as preventing a fall in property value often compels sellers to offer owner financing to lure customers.

When it comes to owner financing, various Charlotte investment property types in terms of land and other types of real estate can be financed. This means that owner financing is not limited just to traditional homes. Owner financing is also common in situations where a property is in bad shape or else the property has not moved for some time in the property market. Seller financing which is also known as ‘rent to own’ is where the seller holds the note for you, without calling for any bank or credit checks. It is more commonly preferred by those who want to purchase investment property, rather than by homeowners as such.

Owner financing means structured deals that are beneficial to both the seller as well as the buyer. It also helps in generating steady cash flow for the seller. The seller acts as the bank or the financing authority with the buyer paying the amount owed over a period of time and in installments as specified in the terms of the agreement signed by the seller and the buyer purchasing the Charlotte investment property. The option to take big or small down payments is vested with the seller, which the buyer needs to comply with.

When it comes to owner financing, the seller generally asks for a higher down payment than mortgage lenders. However, the interest rate would be lower than what a traditional lender would charge on typical Charlotte investment property, where owner financing would come from an entrepreneur’s savings.

Interest rates have spreads that are determined by financial institutions. Generally 1.50% to 2.50% over prime is the general interest rate with those who want lower rates being required to do a lot of research. This is not required in the case of owner financing. In a few rare cases, the owner financing may be even at 0% interest, especially in cases when the seller is very keen on selling the Charlotte investment property urgently.

If you want to sell off your investment fast and also get a high rate for it, it makes sense to offer owner financing. You may also be able to get first mover advantage and better prices as owner financing makes your Charlotte investment property much more attractive to prospective buyers. At the same time, it could also mean that your property is one of the first ones to get sold in the local property market. All of which makes owner financing a very advisable and popular proposition in times like these.

Samantha Preston is a real estate investor who enjoys Charlotte investment properties. Her specialty is real estate in Charlotte, NC.

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The Bank’s Loss Is Your Gain With REO Properties

14 December, 2009

In these days and times, there are many instances of people taking loans to buy property and being unable to pay back the mortgage. This is where the lenders are left with properties that they have to re-possess from the defaulting buyers and then sell it through a loss mitigation department. These repossessed properties are known as REO properties and cannot be auctioned openly on account of which these are sold at rates much lower than market rates. Given the vast selection and choice available, investors can have a gala time looking at acquiring such Charlotte investment property.

REO properties are by their very definition lacking in equity. Otherwise, they would have been sold at the auction. These properties are definitely not for everyone. There are risks associated with purchasing a property “as-is”. REO properties are homes which have been legally repossessed by lenders after a homeowner has failed to pay a mortgage. Since lenders simply wish to recoup the money lost on the loan and do not want to pay the management costs on a Charlotte investment property, they are often willing to price these REO homes below market value.

REO properties are also foreclosed properties, but the different part about them is that they could not be sold at an auction. These properties were sent to the bank and they are not carrying a mortgage anymore. REO properties are sticky for lack of disclosure purposes and liability releases more than anything else. You will be informed that the lender is basically released from all liability because they have no clue about the home. REO properties are usually listed for sale with local real estate agents. Given the current state of the economy, lenders are selling their REO properties for a greatly reduced price.

Holding an REO property is of no use and is a drain as its upkeep is the responsibility of the lender. One also has to look at the rehab costs in getting the house into a functioning, rentable condition, which is why people should take advantage of special software programs to print inspection forms and see as to how much it would cost. Holding REO property costs money for every day it remains vacant.

Lenders are willing to set up special agreements for a buyer’s interest to purchase a ‘package’ of REO’s rather than a single property. Lenders have no interest in owning property, and thus usually opt to list their REO properties with a local real estate broker in hopes of a retail sale. Yet with increasing frequency, REO properties are being sold for pennies or dimes on the dollar.

Buying an REO property is not a walk in the park as a cheap Charlotte investment property could very well attract a lot of competition and interest from other investors. There will be quite a few bids and one could also have participation of institutional investors. REO is better than auctions per se, because of the fact that in auctions you have to pay up front in cash and do not get the chance to inspect the property before buying it. In some cases, people can take up loans under the rural housing plan towards these types of properties. In auctions, however, you will be able to ensure that you do not have to deal with the lender, but buy the property directly.

Samantha Preston is a real estate investor who enjoys Charlotte investment property passive income. Her specialty is Charlotte real estate.

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Charlotte – Unique Investment In The South

28 November, 2009

Low Cost Opportunities

Although current property climate in the US is not so encouraging for short term investors; with shrewd planning one can still manage to reap profits.

While scouting for profitable Charlotte investment property, one should keep in mind the location. Places like Charlotte and Phoenix are always packed with tourists irrespective of the time of the year, resulting in high rental returns. Today the off-plan investments cost less as compared to completed projects of same size and at comparable locations. This has led to the popularization of the “flip” investment strategy. In this strategy the investors put their money in projects and sell off before their completion. Their profit is the rise in value of the property as it nears its completion. One should keep in mind to verify the re-assignment rules before finalizing the deal. Real Estate brokers charge a fee at times for this facility which is a percentage of the purchase price.

Know When to Buy

A lot of easy payment options are available in the market today. The investor can payoff in certain pre-decided installments. Another scheme is to take a token amount at the beginning and rest of the payment after completion of the Charlotte investment property project. The scope of profit is increased if investment is made early in the project life cycle. This way the investor gets to choose the most attractive unit in the project.

Assess Risk

The most important lesson to learn in any type of investing is the art of risk management. In the Charlotte property market the investor will always have a lot of choices. The key is to select the area that suits his needs and is the most attractive one based on parameters like appearance, location and facilities.

Another important angle to consider is the exit strategy. Investors should have a plan of action whereby they are ready for instantaneous bail-out in case they have to liquidate the investment at a short notice. This includes a back-up plan if market falls and you cannot get a buyer.

Payback

The economic crisis has affected the short term return on investment to an extent. The recovery, although on cards, will still take some time. In fact, the current market is perfect for long term investment. This will ensure substantial capital returns apart from a steady flow of rental income from your Charlotte investment property. The investment’s profitability can further be increased by spotting an opportunity early on and reserving it at pre-release stage at a discounted price.

Samantha Preston is a real estate investor who enjoys Charlotte investment property passive income. Her specialty is Charlotte real estate.

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