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With the rise in interest rate the number of foreclosed properties typically follows. Many investors are taking a fresh look at these opportunities. But they are not without risk and first-timers should tread carefully. Homes enter into foreclosure for non or partial payments by the lender holding the mortgage or for unpaid property taxes. The time lines can be long for any property entering into a fore closure and the debtor does hold rights to redeem the property by paying off delinquent monies owed during defined right-of-redemption periods. Some tips about foreclosures. -Foreclosed properties are not in the best condition. After many months or years of neglect they become available. Expect surprises when budgeting repairs and renovations. -With still adequate buyer demand for all houses, many properties are sold before they enter into foreclosure. Those that do are really the bottom of the barrel of the housing stock. Be careful, if nobody wanted before, will they now? Bad locations are not fixable. -Neglected multi-unit building could also come with sour tenants. Investigate options for turning a apartment building around, it's one thing to renovate and another to evict. -Buy a home that is typical for the community. Look for three or four bedroom homes in a community of families. -Stay away from modular housing that is considered personal property. -Abandoned cars on foreclosed properties can bring environmental issues that are costly to repair. -Purchase a home warranty for any foreclosure you purchase. The five hundred dollar cost is cheap insurance against major system repairs. -Ask about special assessments. Sometimes people default because of proposed major expenditures by condo associations or for new streets and sewers. -Don't forget to have water wells and septic systems inspected. -Odd shaped lots with large buildings that have grandfathered non-conforming uses can be problematic if the building is destroyed by fire or weather. Mark Nash's fourth real estate book, "1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home" (2005), and working as a real estate broker in Chicago are the foundation for his consumer-centric real estate perspective which has been featured on ABC-TV, Associated Press,CBS The Early Show, Bloomberg TV, Bottom Line Magazine, Business Week, CNN-TV, Fidelity Investor's Weekly, MarketWatch, HGTVpro.com, MSNBC.com, Smart Money Magazine,The New York Times, Realty Times, Universal Press Syndicate and USA Today.
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