By: Felicity Walker
Foreclosure - for too many people, it's an unfortunate reality that they haven't made the payments on their home, and the bank is selling up. For investors, however, foreclosures represent an opportunity to build a property portfolio quickly and cheaply.
Even better, it's not necessary to have a great job, great credit, a bank manager begging to lend you money - it's possible to start investing in foreclosures without any of these things. Having said that, one or all of those things certainly make it a lot easier! However if you're willing to be creative and think a little differently, it's still possible to find great deals with options such as no money down. Don't waste your time thinking it can't be done - it's done every single day.
In fact, if you can, it's worth looking for creative deals even if you do have the money for a deposit - the less money you spend buying a deal, the more money you'll have available for the next one, and the one after that. In fact, accessing money from places other than your own pocket helps you to continue buying properties indefinitely.
The profit margins in foreclosures can be huge. Many properties sell for 20-40% under market value. This is the main reason foreclosures are so attractive - you have little or no risk. Even if you need to sell up the property immediately, you can sell 10% under market value to get a quick sale, and still make a sizeable profit. That's great investing!
Interest rates help make investing in foreclosures more profitable at present. It's been a long time since interest rates have been so low, and although at some point they will go up again, right now it's possible for a lot more people to qualify for a loan. That means there are more people available to buy your property, if you choose to onsell it again quickly.
It's also important to realise that interest rates are low for a reason - a lot of people have been doing it tough. Unemployment regularly causes foreclosure to occur, which means that right now the levels of foreclosure are high - meaning there are plenty of bargains out there for an investor willing to do the groundwork. You need to learn where to find them, and have the persistence to put in the work required.
Perhaps you now find yourself saying, yes, well, foreclosures are really high right now, but that's going to change. Yes, it probably will. At some point foreclosure rates will undoubtedly lessen. Remind yourself, though, that foreclosure have been around for many, many years - and will continue to happen. If you've taught yourself the steps to finding a great foreclosure deal, you will continue to find them. That's true even when the economy is strong. People still fall behind on their mortgage payments and have to find a way out.
In the end, though, investing in foreclosures is all about choices. Building a large property portfolio, or regularly making solid profits by onselling foreclosure properties quickly, means that you can make choices about how you want to spend your time, and what you want to do. That's the real benefit from finding out about foreclosures - you are your own boss. You choose the hours you work, and how much you're going to earn. You can do it full time or part time around your current job. It's a great opportunity for a parent to stay at home with small kids but still bring in an income. It's all about lifestyle - investing in foreclosures gives you the freedom to make your own choices.
