![]() | |
![]() | |
![]() |
Real Estate Information |
|
![]() |
Real Estate Investing Myths That Steal Profits From Your Pocket
One of the things that distresses us about our industry is the amount of wrong or incomplete information available to investors. Some myths block what otherwise would be a great deal, while others would have you believe that a bad deal is actually great. For example, we encourage purchasing homes "subject-to" the existing mortgage as an option to finance the purchase of an investment property. This means that title to the property is transferred to the purchaser, but the loan remains in the original borrower's name with payments made by the purchaser. Unfortunately, many myths exist around this method which could rob you of your profits. Let's take this opportunity to dispel 5 of the most common. Myth #1: Buying A House "Subject-To" The Existing Mortgage Is Illegal. Absolutely not true! Most mortgages have a "due-on-sale" clause which states that if the house is sold without paying off the mortgage, the lender has the "right" to call the entire loan due. The key here is that they have a "right" - not an "obligation". In other words, it's their choice. We asked several attorneys in town who represent lenders to see if they had ever heard of a bank call a loan due because of a sale. In every instance they said not as long as the payments were made timely. Why? Because banks are in the money business - not in the real estate business. If they call the loan due, and it goes into foreclosure, they have a poor performing loan on the books (for which they have to increase their reserves), they incur additional costs, and they inherit a property. Or, they can just accept the timely payments from the new owner. Which makes more sense? Myth #2: Buying "Subject-To" Is Complicated And Requires A Ton Of Paperwork. The truth is that all you have to do is write it into the Purchase and Sales Agreement (PSA). We write it in right next to the Purchase Price. Here's an example using our PSA: Total Purchase Price to be paid by Buyer is $80,000.00, payable as follows: "subject-to" existing first mortgage with a balance of approximately $77,500, and monthly PITI payments of $695; remainder of Sellers equity to be paid in cash at closing. That's it. You and the Seller have now agreed that you'll purchase the home subject-to their mortgage. As a precaution, we have the Seller sign a disclaimer that they know that the loan has a due-on-sale clause, and that we make no promise as to when the loan will be paid in full, or how long it will remain in their name. We also prepare a letter from the borrower informing the bank that all future correspondence should be forwarded to us, and we have the right to act for the Seller in every way regarding the loan so they'll disclose loan information to us in the future. It really is that easy. After closing, you just start making the payments. We don't hide our identity. We send in our own checks, and the house insurance is in our name. Myth #3: No Homeowner Will Ever Sell Me Their House And Leave The Loan In Their Name. If you're dealing with a seller who has no problems with his house, this may be true. But when you deal with motivated sellers - ones that either have financial, personal, or house issues - this will not be an issue. Motivated sellers need a way out - quickly! Often, they're already behind in their payments, and facing foreclosure. When you tell them that their worries are over, and you'll catch up their back payments, and make all the subsequent payments on time they'll jump at the opportunity. As a bonus, their credit will even improve. The key to successful negotiating lies in your confidence. Realize that you're providing a viable alternative solution which allows the highest price to be paid, with the quickest closing, and immediate relief for the Seller's situation. Myth #4: Kitchen Table Closings Are Perfect For These Transactions Investors love to say that they "got the deed" at the kitchen table while they presented their offer. The concern is you have no validation of what you purchased. Without a title exam, there's no guarantee the correct owner even signed the deed, nor whether any other loans or liens exist on the property. You also have no title insurance to protect you from any unanticipated title problems. Finally, the actual payoff on the loan must be validated with the lender by requesting a statement of account. Do not use the principal balance payoff shown on the monthly statement because it does not include past due payments, other interest accrued, fees and penalties, and any prepayment penalties. We've seen actual payoffs tens of thousands of dollars greater than the principal payoff. You could argue that what difference does it make if the loan isn't in your name and you gave the Seller no cash. The problem is that you may not discover any of these issues until much later in the transaction - maybe not until you try to sell the property. By then, you will have invested time, energy, and money in the property only to see it all lost, when all of these problems could have been avoided by conducting a standard closing with your attorney or title company. Myth #5: I Can Always Just Walk Away If I Can't Pay The Mortgage This is technically true, but not a great strategy for the successful investor. Legally, you are not responsible for the payments. But you do have your credibility and reputation to consider - which are critical to your long term success. You definitely don't want an angry seller defaming your reputation in the community, or submitting a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. Not to mention that you probably have cash invested in the house, which will all be lost. We recommend treating "subject-to" mortgages just like any other with your name attached - make timely payments. Lou FREE! Real Estate Investing Secrets To Earning $100,000 Your 1st Year! -- 11 Overlooked Real Estate Statregies That Will Turn Your Investing Business upside Down And On The Fast Track TO Success...Guranteed! Plus A Bonus Track With A Secret So Successful It Can Double Your Investing Income Overnight! http://www.InvestorSuccessTactics.com
MORE RESOURCES: ‘Given up’: Property giant’s verdict on Aussies news.com.au Boathouses Go Next Level at These Five Mansions Mansion Global Sonoma County real estate market turns turbulent, though 7 areas show improved year-to-year sales prices The Santa Rosa Press Democrat Homes for Sale in New York and New Jersey The New York Times Erie County real estate transactions Buffalo News Downtown Knoxville IRS offices included on list of possible federal real estate spending cuts WBIR.com The Great American Insurance Retreat: Climate Change, Uninsurable Homes, & The Future Of Real Estate CleanTechnica Trade Alert: Independent Director Of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance Carmencita N. Whonder Has Sold Stock Simply Wall St REAL ESTATE | VIDEO | Perfect country property in Dodge County | By Wendy Wendorf - Homestead Realty washingtoncountyinsider.com Central Mass. real estate transfers, Sunday, March 9 Worcester Telegram U.S. Government Hits Pause on Massive Commercial Real-Estate Sale The Wall Street Journal Macomb County real estate transfers recorded Sept. 30-Oct. 4, 2024 The Macomb Daily An investor's 3-part 'build-to-rent' strategy is making him $330 a month per unit. It has him on track to retire early. Business Insider Crain’s Cleveland hires Smith to cover residential real estate Talking Biz News DOGE claims $13.6 million in real estate savings in Alaska Alaska's News Source How Nigerian leaders spent millions on SC real estate amid US retreat from dirty money fight The Post and Courier Vendor & Real Estate Partners Dollar Tree, Inc. Real Estate Property Transfers Spring Hill for Feb. 3, 2025 Williamson Source Exclusive | Blackstone Raises Largest Commercial Property Debt Fund With $8 Billion Haul The Wall Street Journal In Good Company: Discover Brooklyn’s Real Estate Gems with MM&Co. (sponsored) Brooklyn Bridge Parents Berkshire region real estate sales – March 7, 2025 theberkshireedge.com Trouble Signs For Real Estate Market In Palm Beach County BocaNewsNow.com America Builds: Making Federal Real Estate Work for the Taxpayer The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure The Michael Houck Real Estate Guide for March 9 Oil City News Godfrey - Home for sale RiverBender.com China’s real estate market keeps stabilizing as government policy support boosts confidence: Minister Global Times Palm Beach house sells near Trump's Mar-a-Lago, marks fourth sale there since mid-December USA TODAY DOGE claims $17 million saved in federal real estate terminations in Georgia. Here's where Online Athens AI will change real estate more than the disruption that made Amazon a property powerhouse - Fortune Suburban cities, developers eye office space but high-rise downtowns outside Austin still years away The Business Journals Charming Southern metro nicknamed the 'Scenic City' sees housing boom in state with NO income tax Daily Mail This CT metro area has the 'hottest' real estate market in U.S., according to realtor website CT Insider Pushback in eXp, Weichert settlements called ‘self-serving’ Real Estate News Inside Saratoga's largest mansion, now listed for $24.9M The Business Journals Smartleaf Asset Management LLC Buys 479 Shares of Fidelity MSCI Real Estate Index ETF (NYSEARCA:FREL) Defense World Healthcare Commercial Real Estate Finance Veteran Amy Heller Joins Meridian Capital Group Business Wire Tariffs are a ‘key part’ of Trump’s strategy to ‘level the playing field’: Real estate broker Fox News DOGE cuts 13 real estate contracts, federal offices in Mississippi. Where are they? - Clarion Ledger Real estate stocks down with import of timber, lumber, derivative products under scrutiny Seeking Alpha National Bankshares Forecasts Strong Price Appreciation for Bsr Real Estate Investment Trust (TSE:HOM.U) Stock Defense World $1.3 million Dover townhome tops Strafford County market. Here's lowest-priced home, too. Foster's Daily Democrat Real Estate Stocks To Keep An Eye On – March 7th Defense World Chetrit family faces a reckoning after decades of success in NY real estate Crain's New York Business Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance (NYSE:ARI) vs. Arbor Realty Trust (NYSE:ABR) Head to Head Survey Defense World Red Bank's Denholtz has created a $2B real estate empire; now they want to get bigger Asbury Park Press Chattanooga housing market heats up in Tennessee Fox Business UW and NFL great Lawyer Milloy lists Woodinville estate for $7.8 million seattlerefined.com Real estate sales in Peoria, Tazewell and Woodford counties for March 8, 2025 Peoria Journal Star Real Estate Newsletter Articles this Week: Property Insurance Costs Rose at a Record Rate in 2024 Calculated Risk County Official Sees Growing Strength in Real Estate Franklin Observer What were the 5 most expensive homes sold in Petaluma last week? The Santa Rosa Press Democrat ‘Extremely pissed off’: LeFever Mattson investors wonder why troubled real estate moguls have escaped accountability The Santa Rosa Press Democrat A couple making $28,000 a year in passive income from real estate used an out-of-the-box approach to buy their first rental Business Insider REAL ESTATE | 92+ acres of farmland in Rubicon, Wi | By Jim Emmer – Emmer Real Estate washingtoncountyinsider.com Up to the Minute Greenwich Property Transfers, February 24-28, 2025 Greenwich Free Press Is a 6.5% Mortgage Rate the 'Magic Number' to Turn the Local Real Estate Market Around This Spring? TAPinto.net Raymond James Has Lowered Expectations for Minto Apartment Real Estate Invt Trust (TSE:MI.UN) Stock Price Defense World Gambling on Las Vegas? Sin City Housing Market Softens as It Suffers Affordability Crisis Realtor.com News National Bankshares Has Lowered Expectations for Minto Apartment Real Estate Invt Trust (TSE:MI.UN) Stock Price Defense World Here are recent property transfers up to $1.4 million St. Albans Messenger Indoor pools, fish ponds: Inside the most expensive Central Jersey homes sold in February My Central Jersey A 1670s MA home tied to Salem Witch trials is for sale. Here's a look at the real estate Wicked Local Carver |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
RELATED ARTICLES
Selling Houses: The Basics of Design Psychology I'm often asked about the basics of Design Psychology, which offers innovative interior and exterior design ideas for increasing profit and shortening market time. In reply, I begin by saying that Design Psychology's strategies go well beyond normal cleaning, painting, and repair. Buying and Selling Real Estate in Florida Florida is known as the "Sun Shine" state, and the reason is clear. People move to Florida for many reasons, but most that move there stay there. First Impressions Will Sell Property Fast! First impressions count, buyers will have already formed an impression before they step into your property. A well-kept garden, pathway and fence, plus a freshly painted front door are immediately appealing, whereas a scruffy outdoor space with a litter bin outside the front door may turn many prospective buyers away. Encouraging Debt Most of us don't talk about money, finances, credit, debt.. What To Expect From Your House Appraisal Having your house appraised can be a scary step in the moving process, especially if you don't know what to expect. Will your house pass muster or will they find some hidden defects and problems lurking in the basement and attic? Should you scrub the house clean?Don't worry - this isn't a test of how clean you keep your house or even if your house has problems (that will be for the home inspector to find out). Where is Florida Investment Property Florida Investment Property - Why Investing is a Wise DecisionThere are many reasons to purchase investment property in Florida, the foremost being value appreciation. Property values generally rise while debt decreases; making real estate purchases a good investment. Product Review of Carelton Sheets No Money Down Course Real estate continues to be a very important part of any financial wealth building strategy. Most wealthy individuals have real estate investments as a portion of their overall net worth. New Housing Starts Do Not Guarantee Aftermarket Sales We have been studying a trend of new home buyers in the US in light of this latest housing boom. And how we should adjust our strategies to deal with it. A Possible Bargain: Foreclosed Properties In the superheated San Francisco Bay Area property market, foreclosed properties are available at as much as 40% below market value, writes Srini Saripalli.The last few months of a calendar year are considered sluggish for transacting real estate, but Silicon Valley seems to be an exception to this. Apartment Financing Explained So you're interested in entering the world of property management? Have you thought about how you're going to get into this potentially lucrative market? Let's face it; unless you've just inherited a large sum of money or are otherwise independently wealthy you're going to have to borrow. This is where apartment financing comes in. Buying a Newly-Built Home? Ten Benefits of Using a Real Estate Professional It might not seem necessary to involve a real estate professional in a transaction where a buyer can deal directly with a builder. However, by using a real estate professional, you have someone to protect your interests and guide you along the right path. Purchasing Florida Investment Property And Various Considerations Purchasing Florida Investment PropertyConsidering researching the purchase of Florida Investment Property or properties for sale in central Florida? Do you find yourself wishing you didn't have that lawn to mow and the constant upkeep on a home? Purchasing Florida Investment Property can relieve you of all those household chores but purchasing a Florida Investment Property requires you do some homework. You need to know what you are looking for in a Florida Investment Property. Real Estate Appraisal - Rental Properties Real estate appraisal for rental properties isn't the same as for single family homes. If you were looking at a 24-unit building, it would be difficult to find similar ones nearby that have recently sold. Escalation Clauses - A Home Buyers Secret Weapon Today we discuss escalation clauses because much of the country is experiencing an extreme "sellers' market." By that, I mean there are more buyers than there are sellers, and that results in sellers' getting more than one offer to buy their property. Follow-Up - The Key To Successful Closings If everyone always did everything they said they'd do, we'd all be a lot richer. Unfortunately, tasks are overlooked, and the ball is often dropped. Whats This about a Housing Bubble? In his recent testimony, Alan Greenspan warned against the possiblity that we have seen home prices plateau. The bursting of the "bubble" could cause a big hit to the U. Home Selling: Making It Easy On Yourself! It's a dream for many to buy and take ownership of a home. It's something one aspires for in their lifetime. How Much Home Can You Afford In Todays Market? If you haven't figured your credit worthiness and borrowing power lately, you might be surprised at how much home you can afford to buy in today's market! Mortgage Lenders are very optimistic about the future of the real estate market and as a result they are willing to loan more on properties than you might expect! And, lenders are making loans at rates not seen since the late 1960s.We,as your Realtor, will be most willing to align you with one of our favored lenders for a private and complete analysis of your borrowing power. Property Investing Secrets 9 Property Investing: Here Are Two Important Tactics You Must Do When Buying Real Estate Off The InternetYou can purchase property off the internet. The off line fundamentals of property investing apply on line. Equity Equity is the value of your home minus what you owe on your mortgage. For example, If Joe's home is worth $200,000 and Joe still owes $170,000, then Joe's Equity is $30,000. ![]() |
home | site map |
© 2006 TIGER MEDIA |