Working with an experienced investor can really simplify and expedite the process. Some of the great benefits of selling your house to a professional property buyer are: you are able to sell your house fast, “as is” on the date or your choice, you do not have to pay large real estate commissions to a Realtor, you do not have to spend your time, energy and money updating and making repairs and you only have to have one showing.

You may want to consider selling your house to a real estate investor if you are in any of the following selling situations…

• You’re behind on monthly mortgage payments and need to sell fast.
• You’re moving and can’t afford two mortgage payments.
• You’re going through a divorce and need to sell.
• You’re in foreclosure.
• You’re home is in pre-foreclosure.
• You’re in Bankruptcy.
• You’re home needs lots of repairs but you don’t have the time/money to fix it up.
• You’re home is 100% financed and you don’t have enough equity to list it with a Realtor.
• You’re tired of being a landlord and dealing with tenants.
• Someone in the family has health problems and can’t work.
• It’s an investment property and you want to “cash out.”
• You’re home has been on the market with a listing agent for several months and the listing contract expired.
• You inherited a property and want to sell it quickly with someone who knows about estate sales and the probate process

As you can see there are many reasons why you should consider selling your home to a professional home buyer.  Listing your home with a Realtor or trying to sell your home FSBO costs you money and time, but generally doesn’t get you offers within just a few hours or days. If you don’t have the time and/or the money, or simply don’t want to deal with the hassles of selling your home, then sell it to a real estate investor. You may be happily surprised by the offer you get.

Beware.  Don’t call some random number on the side of the road off one of those “We Buy Houses” signs.  It’s important to make sure you know who you’re dealing with. Unfortunately, there are some unethical investors and currently the real estate market is a prime target. Thanks to the Internet it is relatively easy to locate information about a legitimate business.  In many states, a business is required to register with the Secretary of State.  Also, the Attorney General’s office and the Better Business Bureau handles consumer complaints.  Realtors and brokers are licensed through the state’s Real Estate Commission. These agencies can help to ensure you are working with a licensed, legitimate, complaint-free business or real estate investor.

house closing costs

Is it safe to buy a house right now?
If you’re like a lot of potential home owners, you may be wondering this too. Here’s how to time the market.

I recently received a newsletter from one of my favorite stock gurus. His name is Alexander Green, Chairman and Investment Director for the Oxford Club, a private investment club. In the newsletter “Real Estate: Why Greenspan Is Right This Time”, Alexander Green comments on remarks made by Alan Greenspan regarding falling home prices. Mr. Greenspan had explained that real estate values might drop even further.

I don’t have credentials like Greenspan and Green whom I greatly respect. I am a mortgage broker by profession. Prior to that, I sold real estate. Before that my husband was a real estate agent. Together we have more than 30 consecutive years in the real estate business and more than 50 years total.

I mention this because I have experienced every type of market and lived to tell about it.

When we first became involved with real estate, we were living in Long Beach, California. It was 1979 and we were in the middle of the Savings and Loan Crisis, a crisis that was just as devastating to the real estate market as the Credit Crunch we are experiencing today.

Here is what I learned. Timing the market can be frustrating and discouraging. But this is a fact. When the media noise is the loudest and fear is the strongest, it probably means we are near the bottom of the housing crisis. I have seen many people try to determine the exact time to buy a house, believing that they could pick the perfect low point in the market. It rarely worked and most of the time they were disappointed.

Here is what I think. In spite of what some professionals claim, the home you live in is not an investment. I tend to follow Robert Kiyosaki’s view in this regard, the author of “Rich Dad Poor Dad”. When he explains in his book that a house is not an asset, he is saying an investment is something that puts money in your pocket. For the most part a home is something that takes money out of your pocket.

However over time, home ownership brings financial stability to a family as long as the mortgage payments are affordable. In addition, if you look at home ownership statistics over a 20 year period instead of a 2 year period, it is almost impossible to lose.

So, here is my recommendation. First stop waiting for the media to tell you it’s okay to buy a house. They don’t know how to time the real estate bottom or the direction of mortgage rates. Truthfully, no one else does either. Even the so-called financial gurus received a surprise by the magnitude of this present crisis.

Second, begin a closer look into your market today. Begin looking for neighborhoods that you would like to live in. Study the prices. Use real estate websites to request notification every time a new listing comes on the market. Many realties now offer this service.

Third, on weekends take a little time to relax by visiting open houses. This can be fun. Talk to real estate agents. Get the lay of the land, so to speak. Familiarize yourself with your market.

Fourth, get pre approved by a mortgage lender. The most important part of buying a home is knowing how much you are qualified to borrow. Don’t wait until you find the house of your dreams to consider what you can afford.

Fifth, save, save, save. One of the most important reasons for mortgage pre approval is to determine how much money you are going to need for down payment and house closing costs. These are important numbers to know before shopping for a home, not after you make an offer. The safest way to eliminate surprises and remain realistic while searching for your new home is mortgage pre approval.

When the housing market is going to turn around is anyone’s guess. No one knows.

However you can count on this. This housing downturn will end. But don’t wait to prepare. The buyers who do their homework now by following these 5 steps will be ready to strike.

Good luck.

House Closing Costs

house closing

I am confused and mad about the money which I borrowed for a emergency here!  The broker said I signed something agreeing for them to close the deal and wait for the money until I can prove I work enough hours to pay the mortgage, I am confused on how it closed and was already funded a week ago but they still need another document from me to give me my money, please help,  is this legal?

house closing documents

Does the title company’s promise have to be in writing?

Who gives buyer a title of the property in his name and when?

House Closing Documents

House Closing Documents

I sold my house and the title company closed well over a month ago. I’m still waiting for final copies of the paperwork from the Title company. What I want are copies which were signed by both parties. I believe it is my right to have copies of these documents in my possession. I have tried calling the Title company. The person who processed my closing does not return my calls. I also left messages with the Title Operations Manager, and he is not returning my calls either. My Realtor’s office has also been calling on my behalf and they say the Title company is not returning their calls either. I’ve since moved out-of-state so walking in the front door and getting in someone’s face is not an option. Should I get an attorney at this point or should I wait a little longer?

House Closing Documents

Currently I have only photocopies of everything, and the signatures were not even completed.

Should I be worred and start collecting all certified copies of Owner policy, Deeds, affidavits, house title etc?

Please help list documents that I MUST have in original/certified copy that will be needed in the future.

House Closing Documents

House Closing Lawyer

Assuming no mortgage is involved, what house closing documents am I supposed to get at a real estate home / condo purchase closing?

What documents do I sign?

Which ones prove that I now own the property?

And if a wire transfer is involved, does the fact that the title / escrow company has disbursed funds to seller mean I know legally own the property and title is clear (title insurance bought) and title company has already recorded new owner with government agencies?

House Closing Documents