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08-13-2008 at 4:00 PM
soontobecapek
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Joined on 12-21-2007
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
16,841 Points
soontobecapek is not online. Last active: 12-04-2008, 3:23 PMBronze

foreclosed home

So i have heard a million times how it is a bad idea to buy a foreclosure, but nobody ever tells me why. Anybody know why it's a bad idea?

Lilypie 2nd Birthday Ticker


 
08-13-2008 at 4:16 PM
kristeng21
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Joined on 01-28-2008
Pearland, Texas
2,598 Points
kristeng21 is not online. Last active: 12-03-2008, 7:43 PMNewbie

Most of the time, the bank's price on a foreclosed home is non-negotiable so you will have to give them what they are asking.  Also, I've had other people tell me that many times, the people who were living there know a several months before that they will be foreclosed on, and they treat the home like crap.  I don't know how true that is though.  You can get a good deal though- a cowoker of mine bought a foreclosed home for about $20,000 below it's value because the bank wanted to sell quickly.

If I found a good deal, I would go for it, just get an inspection.

There comes a point in your life when you realize:
who matters,
who never did,
who won't anymore...
and who always will. 
08-13-2008 at 4:28 PM
Mrs.BoomBoom
Top 50 Contributor
Joined on 05-14-2007
San Jose, CA
116,186 Points
Mrs.BoomBoom is not online. Last active: 12-04-2008, 7:12 PMGold
Around here (San Jose, CA) there aren't many other options right now.

On July 21, 2007 Tine married Ray and tineoak became Mrs. BoomBoom

 
08-13-2008 at 4:43 PM
**Gretchen**
Top 500 Contributor
Joined on 11-30-2007
52,515 Points
**Gretchen** is not online. Last active: 12-04-2008, 7:21 PMSilver

We went through several foreclosed homes and they were all destroyed on the inside.  One the realtor and my dad wouldn't even let us in, described it as "it looks like a bomb went off."  Another had huge body sized whole in the wall, initials etched into the brick fireplace, and dried instant oatmeal on the wall.

 We weren't in a position to be patient enough to do the major work needed to bring them back to livable.


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08-13-2008 at 4:54 PM
pinkpowerranger
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Joined on 02-23-2007
Minnesota
2,649 Points
pinkpowerranger is not online. Last active: 12-04-2008, 1:12 PMNewbie

If you're into making major repairs, then go for it.  It's just that you don't make nearly as much money as people make it out to be.  However, that being said...

 We picked up a foreclosure home last summer on a sealed bid government auction.  It was a mess inside - truly disgusting.  BUT...it was only built in 1994, so the structure was solid, which left us only with resurfacing (paint, flooring, some new doors, electrical fixtures, stained the fence), and some landscaping work.  It was HARD work to do it all ourselves - believe me!  But we did come out very well in the end.  It's a huge risk, really, and we're glad to have cleared what we did - there were times when we thought we'd barely make a dime on it.  If you plan to have everything hired, don't do it - you won't make money on it.  The only reason we did so well was because we did all the work ourselves.

My MIL does this regularly and almost 100% of the time she loses lots of money doing it. 

Also, don't do this if you can't fully afford to pay both mortgages very comfortably.  (Or rent and the mortgage)  You may have to be prepared to sit on the house for a while with the market being what it is.


You can't fix stupid! 
08-13-2008 at 5:30 PM
looboo
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Joined on 06-06-2007
Seattle, WA
1,365 Points
looboo is not online. Last active: 11-14-2008, 11:20 AMNewbie

Mostly it has to do with condition.  Sometimes you can get really lucky though.  My co-worker got her home for $80k below market and the home was only three years old.  She had to repaint every bit of it, do some maintence that was lacking and recarpet the whole thing, but the home is good now.  Other than that the yard is a total mess that will be next year's project.  It really depends on the situation. 


Amanda 
08-13-2008 at 6:27 PM
Tejal
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Joined on 01-05-2006
New Jersey
19,547 Points
Tejal is online. Last active: 12-04-2008, 7:54 PMBronze
The usual story of foreclosures is that they are destroyed on the inside.  You will have to put ALOT of work into it.  The former owners will likely take anything that is not nailed down (and some things that are!)  It will smell and you won't want to be in it.  However, if you have in you to really ring a houe back to life, it can be a good option.

Tejal & Joe 4-21-2007



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08-14-2008 at 12:40 AM
tohave2hold
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Joined on 08-31-2007
372 Points
tohave2hold is not online. Last active: 08-14-2008, 2:19 AMNewbie
Not every forclosure has been ragged on, But you will find some that were destroyed on the inside on purpose. Forclosures do have a bad reputation, but if you decide to buy one, do get an inspector through, just to make sure you don't have any hidden suprises.


 
08-14-2008 at 7:23 AM
AshleyKass
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Joined on 04-03-2007
Washington, Missouri
3,230 Points
AshleyKass is not online. Last active: 12-04-2008, 2:45 PMNewbie
Not all foreclosed homes are bad.  Sometimes you can find a really good deal.  You just have to look at a lot of bad ones to find the one good one.  We bought a foreclosed home that's only 2 years old and the only thing that needs to be done is a good paint job.  A lot of agencies that own the foreclosed homes are now paying the owners for thier keys.  Meaning if they don't trash the house they get a couple of thousand dollars depending on how much their house is actually worth.

Doug & Ashley
4.26.08

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08-14-2008 at 7:53 AM
soontobecapek
Not Ranked
Joined on 12-21-2007
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
16,841 Points
soontobecapek is not online. Last active: 12-04-2008, 3:23 PMBronze

We can afford up to a $300,000 home, currently we are looking at 2 very different homes.
The first was built in '04 selling for 249,900 heated floors in LL hardwood upstairs stainless appliances. Basically is beautiful, perfect in fact just needs a little paint cuz everything is white...and it has been on the market awhile with no offers so we should be able to get it for less  

The second built in '78 but in good condition. A foreclosure going for 100,000, but need a ton of updates. appliances don't match, panelling in nearly every room, no air conditioning and heater only works in some rooms, bathrooms very outdated, oh and needs new carpet. However, my father has been maintenance for many apartment complexes, my FIL builds homes and my BIL work for the local hardware store and gets 60% off. so everything can be done by us and it would be customized to our liking.


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08-14-2008 at 8:59 AM
misslin20
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Joined on 09-24-2004
NC
2,893 Points
misslin20 is not online. Last active: 12-04-2008, 3:48 PMNewbie

I think the main reason people say that it b/c of the updates needed in most foreclosures and possible problems with the home. Although I think that if you go into it with you "eyes wide open", have inspection prior to buying, do several walk throughs and price repairs and updates that it can be a great investment!!

Most foreclosures are ratty and torn down but in a market like todays their are so many type of people that are being foreclosed on (unfortanately) and so there are some decent foreclosures!! I think you just have to be extra careful but it's defintely a great for a low mortgage and alot of house!

 

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