Introduction |
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1 | (1) |
About This Book |
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1 | (1) |
Foolish Assumptions |
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2 | (2) |
Icons Used in This Book |
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4 | (1) |
Beyond the Book |
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4 | (1) |
Where to Go from Here |
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4 | (3) |
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PART 1 PREPPING YOURSELF FOR FORECLOSURE SUCCESS |
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7 | (50) |
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Chapter 1 Wrapping Your Brain around Foreclosure Investing |
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9 | (20) |
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Investigating the Foreclosure Process from Start to Finish |
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10 | (2) |
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Picking Your Point of Entry |
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12 | (4) |
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Scooping other investors during the pre-auction stage |
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12 | (1) |
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Bidding on properties at foreclosure auctions |
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13 | (2) |
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Buying properties after the sale |
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15 | (1) |
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Assembling a Team of Experts and Advisers |
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16 | (1) |
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Getting Your Financial Ducks in a Row |
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17 | (1) |
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Finding Foreclosures and Seized Properties |
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18 | (1) |
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Performing Your Due Diligence |
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19 | (4) |
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Investigating the property's title and other documentation |
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20 | (1) |
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Inspecting the property with your own eyes |
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21 | (1) |
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Guesstimating a property's true value |
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22 | (1) |
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Investigating the situation and the homeowners |
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22 | (1) |
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Setting and Sticking To Your Maximum Bid |
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23 | (1) |
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Taking Possession of the Property |
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24 | (2) |
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Completing the essential paperwork |
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24 | (1) |
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Paying property taxes and insurance |
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25 | (1) |
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Persuading the current residents to move on |
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26 | (1) |
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Cashing Out: Realizing Your Profit |
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26 | (3) |
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Repairing and renovating the property to maximize its value |
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27 | (1) |
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Marketing and selling to get top dollar |
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27 | (1) |
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Cashing out equity by refinancing |
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28 | (1) |
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28 | (1) |
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Chapter 2 Getting Up to Speed on the Foreclosure Process |
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29 | (12) |
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Identifying the Foreclosure Process in Your Area |
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30 | (1) |
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Foreclosure by trustee sale |
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30 | (1) |
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Foreclosure by judicial sale |
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31 | (1) |
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Exploring the Missed-Payment Notice Stage |
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31 | (1) |
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Getting Serious: The Notice of Default |
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32 | (1) |
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Proceeding to the Foreclosure Sale |
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32 | (1) |
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Halting the Foreclosure Process |
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33 | (6) |
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34 | (1) |
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Requesting and receiving a forbearance |
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35 | (1) |
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Mortgage modification or repayment plan |
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35 | (1) |
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36 | (1) |
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Agreeing to a deed in lieu of foreclosure |
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36 | (1) |
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Getting one last chance during the redemption period |
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37 | (2) |
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Finalizing the Foreclosure: Ushering the Previous Owners Out the Door |
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39 | (2) |
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Chapter 3 Picking Your Point of Entry in the Foreclosure Process |
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41 | (16) |
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Dipping In at the Pre-Auction Stage |
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42 | (4) |
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Exploring the pros and cons of pre-auction foreclosures |
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42 | (1) |
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Guiding homeowners to good decisions |
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43 | (1) |
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Dealing with anger and angst |
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44 | (1) |
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Assessing your ability to deal with pre-auction scenarios |
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45 | (1) |
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Pursuing Foreclosure Notices |
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46 | (3) |
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Knowing the benefits of waiting for the foreclosure notice |
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47 | (1) |
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Weighing the drawbacks of waiting for the foreclosure notice |
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48 | (1) |
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Wrapping up your deal before the sale |
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48 | (1) |
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Bidding for a Property at a Foreclosure Auction |
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49 | (3) |
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Weighing the pros and cons of buying at auctions |
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50 | (1) |
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Setting a maximum bid well in advance |
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51 | (1) |
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Putting on your poker face |
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51 | (1) |
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Acquiring Properties after the Auction |
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52 | (2) |
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Scoping out REO properties |
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52 | (1) |
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Finding and buying government properties |
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53 | (1) |
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Buying properties from other investors |
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54 | (1) |
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Waiting Out the Redemption Period --- If Necessary |
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54 | (3) |
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PART 2 LAYING THE GROUNDWORK FOR MAXIMIZED PROFIT AND MINIMIZED RISK |
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57 | (50) |
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Chapter 4 Building a Powerful Foreclosure Investment Team |
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59 | (18) |
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Lawyering Up with a Real Estate Attorney |
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60 | (1) |
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Teaming Up with a Good Moneyman or Woman |
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61 | (2) |
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Consulting a Title Company to Cover Your Back |
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63 | (1) |
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Hiring a Tax-Savvy Accountant |
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64 | (1) |
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Lining Up a Home Inspector |
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65 | (1) |
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Contacting Contractors and Subcontractors |
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66 | (5) |
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Hiring a general contractor --- or not |
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67 | (1) |
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Tracking down top-notch contractors and subcontractors |
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68 | (1) |
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Contracting with contractors and subcontractors |
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68 | (2) |
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Finding skilled and unskilled help |
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70 | (1) |
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Insuring your helping hands |
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70 | (1) |
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Selling Your Property for Top Dollar through a Seller's Agent |
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71 | (3) |
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Recognizing the value of a seller's agent |
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72 | (1) |
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Picking an agent with the right stuff |
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73 | (1) |
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Assessing the Pros and Cons of Partnerships |
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74 | (3) |
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Chapter 5 Filling Your Foreclosure Tank with Financial Fuel |
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77 | (18) |
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Estimating Your Cash Needs |
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78 | (1) |
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Finding a Cash Stash: Knowing Your Financing Options |
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79 | (2) |
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Financing with Hard-Money and Gap Loans |
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81 | (3) |
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Weighing the pros and cons of hard money |
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81 | (2) |
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Making up the difference with a gap loan |
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83 | (1) |
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83 | (1) |
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Partnering with Investors |
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84 | (1) |
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Shaking Your Piggy Bank: Tapping Your Own Resources |
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84 | (4) |
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Examining the pros and cons of using your own money |
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85 | (1) |
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Totaling your sources of investment capital |
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85 | (3) |
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Planning for contingencies |
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88 | (1) |
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Financing Your Venture with Conventional Loans |
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88 | (5) |
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Exploring conventional loan types |
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89 | (1) |
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Making yourself look good on paper |
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90 | (3) |
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Gathering the paperwork and records you need |
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93 | (1) |
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Comparison Shopping for Low-Cost Loans |
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93 | (2) |
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Chapter 6 Networking Your Way to Foreclosure Success |
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95 | (12) |
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Grasping the Power of Networking |
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96 | (3) |
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Generating leads on profitable pre-auction properties |
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96 | (1) |
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97 | (1) |
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Tracking down reliable, affordable professionals |
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98 | (1) |
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Selling your house for more money in less time |
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98 | (1) |
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Realizing the Importance of Being Good |
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99 | (2) |
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Acting with integrity --- always |
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99 | (1) |
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Investing in quality craftsmanship |
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100 | (1) |
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Building thriving communities |
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100 | (1) |
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101 | (3) |
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Gathering your marketing tools |
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101 | (2) |
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Starting with your inner circle |
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103 | (1) |
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Keeping in touch: A daily chore |
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103 | (1) |
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Managing Contact Information |
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104 | (1) |
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Rewarding Good Deeds and Good Leads |
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104 | (3) |
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PART 3 CREATING WIN-WIN SITUATIONS IN PRE-FORECLOSURE (BEFORE AUCTION) |
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107 | (80) |
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Chapter 7 Discovering Homeowners Facing Foreclosure |
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109 | (16) |
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Networking Your Way to Promising Properties |
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110 | (4) |
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Identifying your personal lead generators |
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110 | (4) |
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Getting the word out on the streets |
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114 | (1) |
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Scoping Out the Neighborhood for Dontwanners |
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114 | (1) |
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Searching for FSBO Properties |
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115 | (1) |
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Finding Foreclosure Notices |
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116 | (3) |
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Tracking down local publications |
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116 | (1) |
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Getting on the mailing list |
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117 | (1) |
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Subscribing to commercial foreclosure information services or not |
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117 | (1) |
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Deciphering a foreclosure notice |
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118 | (1) |
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Teaming Up with Attorneys to Help Distressed Clients Sell Their Homes |
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119 | (6) |
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Acquiring properties in probate |
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119 | (2) |
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Adopting homes orphaned by divorce |
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121 | (1) |
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Teaming up with bankruptcy attorneys |
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122 | (3) |
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Chapter 8 Performing Your Due Diligence |
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125 | (20) |
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Collecting Essential Information about the Property |
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126 | (14) |
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Honing your title acquisition and reading skills |
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126 | (1) |
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Picking up details from the foreclosure notice |
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127 | (5) |
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Digging up details at the Register of Deeds office |
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132 | (6) |
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Gathering tax information at the assessor's office |
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138 | (1) |
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Getting your hands on the property worksheet |
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138 | (1) |
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Gathering additional information |
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139 | (1) |
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Doing Your Fieldwork: Inspecting the Property |
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140 | (2) |
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Doing a drive-by, walk-around inspection |
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140 | (2) |
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142 | (1) |
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Assembling Your Property Dossier: A Checklist |
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142 | (2) |
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Recognizing the Most Common and Serious Red Flags and Big Mistakes |
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144 | (1) |
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Chapter 9 Contacting the Homeowners and Lenders |
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145 | (28) |
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Scheduling Your Foreclosure Activities |
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146 | (4) |
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Contacting the Homeowners Directly |
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150 | (9) |
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Tracking down the homeowners |
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150 | (1) |
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Kicking off your mail campaign |
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151 | (5) |
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Getting in touch over the phone |
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156 | (3) |
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Adding the Homeowners' Profile to Your Property Dossier |
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159 | (1) |
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Presenting All Available Options |
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160 | (8) |
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162 | (1) |
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Negotiating with the lenders for a forbearance |
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162 | (1) |
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162 | (1) |
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163 | (1) |
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164 | (1) |
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Accepting your cash offer |
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164 | (1) |
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164 | (1) |
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Selling the home and leasing it with an option to buy it back later |
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165 | (1) |
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Selling the home and leasing it without an option to buy |
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166 | (1) |
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Giving a deed in lieu of foreclosure |
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166 | (1) |
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167 | (1) |
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Waiting (and saving) during redemption |
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167 | (1) |
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168 | (1) |
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Getting Inside to Take a Look Around |
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168 | (1) |
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169 | (4) |
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Contacting the senior lienholder |
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170 | (1) |
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Contacting the junior lienholders |
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171 | (2) |
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Chapter 10 Analyzing the Deal and Presenting Your Offer |
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173 | (14) |
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Completing the Deal Analysis Worksheet |
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174 | (7) |
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Calculating the homeowners' equity in the property |
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174 | (3) |
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Calculating your top cash offer |
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177 | (1) |
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178 | (1) |
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Determining options based on LTV |
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178 | (1) |
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Assessing the homeowners' credit health |
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179 | (1) |
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Gauging the homeowners' wants |
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180 | (1) |
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Determining the homeowners'gross monthly income |
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180 | (1) |
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Assessing the Homeowners' Options |
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181 | (2) |
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Presenting Your Offer: The Purchase Agreement |
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183 | (2) |
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185 | (2) |
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PART 4 FINDING AND BUYING FORECLOSURE AND BANKRUPTCY PROPERTIES |
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187 | (90) |
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Chapter 11 Bidding for Properties at a Foreclosure Sale |
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189 | (18) |
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Tracking Down Auction Dates, Times, and Places |
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190 | (1) |
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Preparing Your Maximum Bid |
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191 | (6) |
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Guesstimating the property's improved value |
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192 | (1) |
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Estimating repair and renovation costs |
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192 | (1) |
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Figuring in holding costs |
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192 | (1) |
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Subtracting agent commissions and closing costs |
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193 | (1) |
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Arriving at your maximum bid amount |
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194 | (3) |
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Bidding at a Foreclosure Auction |
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197 | (4) |
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198 | (1) |
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Sitting in on a few auctions |
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198 | (1) |
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Crafting a winning bidding strategy |
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199 | (1) |
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199 | (2) |
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Playing the Role of Backup Buyer |
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201 | (1) |
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Following Up After the Auction |
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202 | (5) |
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Chapter 12 Buying Repos: Bank Foreclosures and REO Properties |
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207 | (18) |
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Acknowledging the Drawbacks of REO Opportunities |
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208 | (1) |
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Getting Up to Speed on the REO Process |
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209 | (1) |
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Shaking the Bushes for REO Properties |
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210 | (6) |
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Positioning yourself as an attractive investor |
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210 | (1) |
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Connecting with REO brokers |
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211 | (1) |
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Getting connected with REO A-listers |
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211 | (3) |
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Tracking the property through the REO stage |
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214 | (1) |
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Working your way to the better deals |
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215 | (1) |
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Following up with homeowners during redemption |
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216 | (1) |
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216 | (1) |
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Timing Your Offer for Optimum Results |
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217 | (3) |
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Acting quickly after the auction |
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217 | (1) |
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Timing your move with the redemption period |
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218 | (1) |
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Tuning in to the lender's fiscal calendar |
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218 | (1) |
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Waiting for the broker to list the house |
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219 | (1) |
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Pitching an Attractive Offer |
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220 | (5) |
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Sizing up the lender's needs |
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220 | (1) |
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221 | (1) |
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Putting your offer in writing |
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222 | (2) |
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224 | (1) |
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Chapter 13 Finding and Buying Government Repos |
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225 | (16) |
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Bargain Hunting for HUD Homes |
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227 | (3) |
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Weighing the pros and cons of HUD homes |
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227 | (1) |
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Hooking up with a HUD-approved agent |
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228 | (1) |
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229 | (1) |
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Finding and Buying VA Repos |
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230 | (1) |
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Profiting from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Properties |
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231 | (3) |
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Tapping into Freddie Mac's home clearinghouse |
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232 | (1) |
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Shopping for Fannie Mae properties |
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233 | (1) |
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234 | (1) |
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Finding and Buying Government-Seized Properties |
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234 | (2) |
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Buying properties at tax sales |
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235 | (1) |
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Avoiding the tax lien sales gurus |
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236 | (1) |
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Buying properties from the IRS |
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236 | (1) |
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Contacting your county treasurer's office |
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237 | (1) |
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Taking a trip to the state department of transportation |
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237 | (1) |
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Finding government-seized property online |
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238 | (3) |
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Chapter 14 Banking on Bankruptcies |
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241 | (14) |
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Brushing Up on Bankruptcy Laws |
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242 | (2) |
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Selling assets through chapter 7 bankruptcy |
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242 | (1) |
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Restructuring debt through chapter 13 bankruptcy |
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243 | (1) |
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244 | (1) |
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Tracking Down Houses in Bankruptcy |
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245 | (3) |
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Skimming publications for bankruptcy notices |
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246 | (1) |
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Researching bankruptcy filings |
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246 | (1) |
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Networking with the gatekeepers |
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247 | (1) |
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Dealing with the Gatekeepers |
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248 | (3) |
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Cooperating with bankruptcy trustees |
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249 | (1) |
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Teaming up with bankruptcy attorneys |
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249 | (1) |
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Getting the homeowners on your side |
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250 | (1) |
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Getting the creditors on your side |
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250 | (1) |
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Dealing with Bankruptcy Delays on a House You Bought |
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251 | (4) |
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Chapter 15 Sampling Some Other Foreclosure Strategies |
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255 | (22) |
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256 | (13) |
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Knowing the lienholder pecking order |
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256 | (3) |
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Wheeling and dealing with lienholders |
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259 | (1) |
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Recognizing a short-sale opportunity |
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260 | (1) |
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Teaming up with the homeowners |
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261 | (1) |
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262 | (1) |
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263 | (2) |
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Negotiating with the lienholders |
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265 | (4) |
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Buying and Selling Junior Liens |
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269 | (3) |
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Buying junior liens to foreclose for a quick payday |
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269 | (2) |
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Buying seconds to protect the first mortgage |
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271 | (1) |
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Selling a junior lien for a profit |
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272 | (1) |
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Profiting from Property Tax Sales |
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272 | (5) |
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Tracking down property tax sales |
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273 | (1) |
|
Finding golden tax sale opportunities |
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274 | (1) |
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Buying tax deeds and tax certificates |
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275 | (1) |
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Getting redeemed out of your position |
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275 | (1) |
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Profiting from the tax lien or deed |
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276 | (1) |
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PART 5 CASHING OUT YOUR PROFIT AFTER THE SALE |
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277 | (52) |
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Chapter 16 Assisting the Previous Homeowners Out the Door |
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279 | (12) |
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Tying Up the Loose Ends after the Purchase |
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280 | (2) |
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Closing on a pre-auction purchase |
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280 | (2) |
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Tying up the loose ends after the auction |
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282 | (1) |
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Protecting Your Investment through Redemption |
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282 | (5) |
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Maintaining the property's status quo |
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282 | (1) |
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|
283 | (1) |
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Keeping hungry investors at bay |
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284 | (3) |
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Planning Repairs and Renovations |
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287 | (1) |
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Evicting the Residents When Time Runs Out |
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287 | (4) |
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Chapter 17 Repairing and Renovating Your Investment Property |
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291 | (14) |
|
Choosing a Renovation Strategy |
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292 | (1) |
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Planning Repairs and Renovations |
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293 | (4) |
|
Calculating the return on your investment |
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293 | (1) |
|
Roughing out your budget and schedule |
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294 | (3) |
|
Giving Your Property a Quick Makeover |
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297 | (4) |
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|
297 | (1) |
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298 | (1) |
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|
298 | (1) |
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299 | (1) |
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|
299 | (1) |
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Make the basement tolerable |
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300 | (1) |
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Attend to the mechanicals |
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300 | (1) |
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Investing in High-Profile Rooms: Kitchens and Baths |
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|
301 | (2) |
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Cooking up a remodeled kitchen |
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301 | (2) |
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303 | (1) |
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|
303 | (2) |
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Chapter 18 Cashing Out: Selling or Leasing Your Property |
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|
305 | (14) |
|
Selling Through a Qualified Real Estate Agent |
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|
306 | (3) |
|
Selling faster for a higher price |
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|
306 | (2) |
|
Choosing a top-notch seller's agent |
|
|
308 | (1) |
|
Staging Your House for a Successful Showing |
|
|
309 | (3) |
|
Jazzing up the front entrance |
|
|
309 | (1) |
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|
310 | (1) |
|
Adding a few tasteful furnishings |
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|
310 | (1) |
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|
311 | (1) |
|
Generating Interest Through Savvy Marketing |
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|
312 | (1) |
|
Negotiating Offers and Counteroffers |
|
|
313 | (3) |
|
|
313 | (2) |
|
Mastering the art of counteroffers |
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|
315 | (1) |
|
|
316 | (1) |
|
|
317 | (2) |
|
Chapter 19 Checking Out Other Cash-Out Strategies |
|
|
319 | (10) |
|
Refinancing to Cash Out the Equity |
|
|
320 | (1) |
|
Reselling the Property to the Previous Owners or Their Family |
|
|
320 | (4) |
|
Reselling to the previous owners |
|
|
321 | (2) |
|
Financing the buyback through insurance-policy proceeds and other means |
|
|
323 | (1) |
|
Leasing the Property to the Foreclosed-on Homeowners |
|
|
324 | (1) |
|
Offering a Lease-Option Agreement |
|
|
325 | (2) |
|
Assigning Your Position to a Junior Lienholder |
|
|
327 | (2) |
|
|
329 | (24) |
|
Chapter 20 Ten Common Beginner Blunders |
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|
331 | (6) |
|
Having Insufficient Funds on Hand |
|
|
331 | (1) |
|
Overestimating a Property's Value |
|
|
332 | (1) |
|
Underestimating Your Holding Costs |
|
|
333 | (1) |
|
Overbidding in the Heat of Battle |
|
|
333 | (1) |
|
Failing to Investigate the Title |
|
|
333 | (1) |
|
Failing to Inspect the Property with Your Own Eyes |
|
|
334 | (1) |
|
Bidding on a Second Mortgage or Junior Lien |
|
|
335 | (1) |
|
Renovating a Property before You Own It |
|
|
335 | (1) |
|
Trusting What the Homeowners Tell You |
|
|
336 | (1) |
|
|
336 | (1) |
|
Chapter 21 Ten Ways to Maximize Future Leads by Acting with Integrity |
|
|
337 | (8) |
|
Stopping the Bleeding: Providing Basic Financial Advice |
|
|
338 | (1) |
|
Assisting Homeowners in Their Job Search |
|
|
338 | (1) |
|
Suggesting That the Homeowners Seek Help from Family and Friends |
|
|
338 | (1) |
|
Encouraging the Homeowners to Contact Their Lenders and Soon |
|
|
339 | (1) |
|
Suggesting Short Sales and Other Debt Negotiations |
|
|
340 | (1) |
|
Assisting Homeowners in Assessing Their Refinance Options |
|
|
340 | (1) |
|
Suggesting the Option of Selling the House before Foreclosure |
|
|
341 | (1) |
|
Bringing Up the Bankruptcy Option |
|
|
341 | (1) |
|
|
342 | (1) |
|
Revealing the Option to Walk Away |
|
|
343 | (2) |
|
Chapter 22 Ten Tips for Avoiding Common Foreclosure Minefields |
|
|
345 | (8) |
|
Steer Clear of Foreclosure Investment Scams |
|
|
346 | (1) |
|
Research the Title Yourself |
|
|
346 | (1) |
|
Inspect the Property with Your Own Eyes |
|
|
346 | (1) |
|
Know What You're Bidding On |
|
|
347 | (1) |
|
|
347 | (1) |
|
|
348 | (1) |
|
|
348 | (1) |
|
|
349 | (1) |
|
Foresee Unforeseen Expenses |
|
|
350 | (1) |
|
Deal with the Blame and Guilt |
|
|
351 | (2) |
Appendix: Foreclosure Rules And Regulations For The 50 States |
|
353 | (14) |
Index |
|
367 | |