subject: How Buyers Can Get the Best Home Foreclosures Deal [print this page] How Buyers Can Get the Best Home Foreclosures Deal
One of the primary benefits of purchasing home foreclosures is the low price. Most sellers offer these properties at almost half their original value, so buyers who do not have a lot of money will be wise to take advantage of this opportunity. But there are still other ways that buyers can explore to make the deal even better for them.
Lowering the Down Payment
In some cases, buyers find it hard to complete the deal because the down payment being required from them is something that is beyond their means to pay. However, a buyer with a good credit standing can expect some leniency in this department since some banks are willing to loan the full purchase price to a borrower who has a sterling credit rating.
For properties that will be used as rentals, most banks only require 10% of the purchase price to be paid as a down payment. Home buyers who also have other properties with a good equity can also acquire a good line of credit that they can use to purchase home foreclosures. Once this line of credit is converted into a mortgage, they will not be required to pay any down payment.
Getting a Safe Deal
Buying foreclosed properties also have its risks and downsides. For a first time buyer, the safest deal would be a property purchased directly from the lender. Majority of foreclosed houses sold by a bank have no risks since taxes and liens are often taken care of by the bank itself. The problem of evicting former owners from the property is also uncommon for bank-owned properties.
Dealing directly with banks also presents an opportunity to secure financing at a low rate since most banks will take it upon themselves to offer the buyer a financing option. Another plus of dealing directly with the lender is that most of these deals already carry title insurance a very useful and significant part of home ownership.
For a first time buyer of home foreclosures, certain steps can be taken to improve an already good deal. The important thing is to conduct a thorough research of the process, the status of the market and the property that the buyer is interested in.
