Todd Grey

Equity Smart Home Loans

Looking For Something?

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Resources
    • First Time Home Buyer Tips
    • First Time Home Seller Tips
    • Closing Costs
    • Home Appraisal
    • Home Inspection
    • Loan Checklist
    • Loan Process
    • Loan Programs
    • Mortgage Glossary
    • Mortgage FAQ
  • Apply
    • Short Application
  • Reviews
    • Read my Reviews
    • Leave a Review
  • Contact

January 29, 2019 by support

Auction 101: Bidding On Your First Property

Auction 101 Bidding On Your First PropertyWith the right combination of strategy, knowledge, and luck, flipping houses can create big profits for short-term investors. However, your path to success starts at your first auction.

For first-timers who are intimidated by their lack of experience at public auctions, follow these steps to ease the confusion of your first property purchase.

Locate Auctions In Your Area

Finding live auctions is as simple as an internet search. Websites run by government agencies list homes that have been seized due to tax liens or foreclosures. Try searching databases maintained by:

  • Fannie Mae
  • The FDIC
  • The US Department of Housing and Urban Development

Another option is your local newspaper. Banks publish foreclosure notices in the public notice section. You can also find advertisements from auction companies and information from the sheriff’s or county tax collector’s office that helps you hunt down low-cost properties.

For busy investors who plan to use real estate as an extra income, it could be worth your while to enlist the help of a professional real estate agent. They often keep lists of homes in foreclosure in the surrounding area.

Assess Available Properties

All properties are not created equal. To find the right fit for your project, find the following information for each potential listing.

  • Current bid price
  • Previous purchase price
  • Length of time property has been unoccupied
  • Property condition
  • Number of bedrooms and bathrooms
  • Sales history of homes in the surrounding neighborhood

This information isn’t always readily available. You may be able to find more information via an MLS search, public lands records, or various real estate websites that publish property data. Of course, if you’re working with a real estate agent, they will provide all the data you need to make the right decision.

Some auction sites include pictures and map data. At other auctions, bidders may be allowed to visit the property or hold open houses before the sale occurs.

Perform A Title Search

When you’ve found a few properties that you like, take some time to do a thorough title search. This process ensures your property doesn’t come with some unfortunate surprises.

During your search, you’ll need to:

  • Obtain records from the tax assessor to verify the tax status of the property.
  • Locate the property’s deed either physically or online.
  • Investigate the property’s sales history to ensure no one else can claim ownership.
  • Check for liens, unpaid mortgage commitments, and legal judgments against the property.

Once a property has cleared these steps, you’ll be ready to start placing bids on your first investment property.

Last but not least: Don’t overlook your financing options. Be sure to meet with your trusted home mortgage professional to get your pre-approval in place. This important step will help you create an affordable budget. 

 

Spread the Love!

support

Filed Under: Real Estate Tagged With: Auction, Home Buying, Real Estate

Contact Todd

Equity Smart Home Loans
Mortgage Loan Officer
tgrey@equitysmartloans.com
Call (818) 435-6560
NMLS #1594405

Follow Me on Social Media!

How can I help?

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Categories

Archives

Recent Posts

  • Saving Up for Your Down Payment? Try These Money-saving Tips to Speed Things Up
  • The Top Home Renovations You Should Go All Out On
  • Is It Best To Put Down A Large Down Payment, Or Be Agile With Your Savings?
  • The Top Smart Home Products You Should Know About
nmlsconsumeraccess.org
Equity Smart Home Loans NMLS ID: 856170
CA Bur of Real Estate - Real Estate Broker - DRE#01906808

Equal Housing Lender

Location


1499 Huntington Dr Ste 500
South Pasadena, CA 91030

Copyright © 2022 · Generate Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in