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My wife and I had to go to our local grocery store on Saturday to pick up some basic items – bread, milk, tomatoes, etc. The store is closed on Sundays so Saturday afternoon they always reduce the price on selected perishable foods. It’s very tempting to pick up some of these cheap items until one realizes that there’s a good reason they are so heavily discounted.

That bargain loaf of bread has reached its “sell by” date. Before I can use the entire loaf it will probably become stale and I’ll have to throw away half of it. Likewise, that gallon of milk is about to expire; by the time I get through half of it, the milk will most likely turn sour. And that shrink-wrapped package of eight tomatoes? They’re already getting soft – how will they be in 3 or 4 days? Yuck!

Sometimes cheap really is cheap. The real estate market can be very similar to the food market – there’s always a reason that that bargain is priced so low. Learning why a cheap property is priced so low is critical to figure out if it is truly “worth it” to pursue. Seeking the advice of a buyer’s agent can be a very wise move to make before you jump on a cheap home.

Homes that are listed with major discounts can normally be classified in just a few categories:

1. The Handyman’s Special or “Fixer-Upper”

Homes that have fallen into disrepair can usually be purchased at prices well below the asking price of well maintained, similar properties. When the property owner is unwilling or unable to make the necessary improvements, the only option is to list it for sale at a heavily discounted price.

If the prospect of manual labor is particularly unappealing, you probably should avoid this type of cheap property. Similarly, if paying someone else to perform the necessary work is out of the question – just walk away. However, If the prospect of doing the work yourself doesn’t completely turn you off, these “handyman specials” can be an excellent investment.

2. A Somewhat Questionable Neighborhood

We’ve all heard the saying that the three most important aspects of real estate are location, location, location. Well, it’s really true. The value of a home can vary quite a bit depending upon its neighborhood. This can be fabulous for the homeowner in an upscale location. However, it can be devastating for a homeowner in a neighborhood that has fallen on hard times. Contrary to many people’s beliefs, real estate values do not always increase with time.

In some cities, certain neighborhoods that have been on the decline are gradually being revitalized through the renovation of individual homes. As these renovations spread, the potential value of property in the immediate neighborhood can begin to climb. Your Realtor will be able to give you an idea about the direction that prices are moving so that you can make a well-informed decision about the potential value of inexpensive homes that fit this category.

3. “Priced To Move Quickly”

A times a homeowner may be under pressure to sell their property very quickly. There may be a need to liquidate assets for cash in hand, an imminent relocation for employment purposes, or pressure to eliminate double mortgage payments after committing to the purchase of another home.

Inexpensive homes in this category usually provide the best value. However, these bargains do not normally remain on the market very long since a fast sale is the very reason that the property was discounted. The best approach to finding these fleeting opportunities as they arise is to have your buyer’s agent notify you when new property listings hit the market. Most real estate agents have access to automation tools that will automatically notify you via email the same day that a property that meets your requirements is put up for sale. Without that type of competitive edge, it’s likely that you’ll never hear bout these prime opportunities.

4. The Mystery of the Unknown

This is the “catch-all” category for homes that don’t seem to fit any of the three previous categories. They are the riskiest properties and should be approached with extreme caution. There is always a reason for a house being under priced – if it’s not apparent at first glance you may have to do some serious investigating before considering a purchase. Sellers are obligated by law to disclose any information that affects the home’s value. Your buyer’s agent will prove invaluable in these cases by helping you ask the right questions.

Obtaining the advice of a buyer’s agent and investigating the reasons that “bargain” properties are priced so low are the keys to discovering the true value of a “cheap” home. These deals can look very attractive at first but, only after further evaluation, will you have an idea if a property may turn out to be a “money pit” or a fabulous opportunity. You won’t regret performing your due diligence.

Jim Navary has been a researcher and freelance writer for more than thirty-five years covering a wide range of topics. He is also a licensed real estate agent in the state of Virginia featuring Fort Lee VA real estate and Colonial Heights VA homes for sale. You are welcome to reprint this article – but get your own unique content version here.

Comments (0) Oct 31 2009

Selling your home when there are few buyers and when the market is difficult is hard, so how do you do it?

The way most homes are bought include getting a mortgage from a bank, loan company, building society or mutual. However in these very heady credit crunch days, this has become almost impossible to do without either a very large deposit and an impeccable credit history.

Repossessions are steadily on the increase, and homeowners who are in danger of repossession and eviction may find they are able to stop the process if they can find a buyer for their property quickly

Though some investor buyers may prefer to wait and buy repossessed houses, others are willing to buy pre foreclosure, and can offer you cash for your house, thus allowing you to pay back the chasing financial institution all the mortgage money that you owe. In actual fact, the cash will go first to the mortgage company as they are the one who usually have first charge over the house. Once they have retrieved their money, the balance will be paid to you. The main fact is that foreclosure will be halted (in most cases) once you have secured a buyer and exchanged contracts on the deal. Once completion is made on the deal you will have the money from the sale usually in your bank the very same day.

Buying repossession property is not for everyone however and not everyone who wants a quick sale on their property is actually in danger of being repossessed. There are lots of other reasons why a seller would want a quick sale. It really doesn’t matter, if you the seller wants to sell a home fast, you need a cash buyer, one who does not have to arrange mortgage, get surveys etc done, you want someone who has all the necessary in place already. But you need to attract them to your property and give it the advantage over others in your area.

If you’re home is in bad condition, the buyer may overlook it in favor of a cheaper property they have seen elsewhere. You have to give the buyer a better proposition than any other seller with whom they may have come into contact.

Cheap properties for sale in your neighborhood won’t necessarily kill your chances of getting a quick house sale. If you are able to present your property in such a way as to make it more appealing for buyers, then you can overcome the price barrier and can hopefully sell your home before you lose it.

Find more ideas on how to sell a home fast at our property website. Ashley Lawrence provides excellent information on house investments

Comments (0) Oct 29 2009