Foreclosures Procedures in Your State

by Jill Borash

Each state is different when you are talking about foreclosures procedures. Each state has different laws that govern the foreclosure timeframe and what the homeowner’s rights are. Each state is unique in how they function and you must be positive that you are familiar with and understand what the functions are for your state.

So how do you find this data? A web page that gives a nice overview of foreclosure timeframes for each state is Realtytrac.com under their foreclosure laws section. This establishes a wonderful opening place for interpreting the foreclosure rules in your state and for assisting you in understanding what your rights are.

More great resources are your state and local government web sites. A bit of digging can oftentimes bring out the foreclosure rules for your state. They could be difficult to understand so discovering somebody that you can actually speak to about how foreclosure goes in your state is a nice idea. Many states give no cost foreclosure courses or a no cost helpline that can assist you in greater understanding the foreclosures procedures in your state.

Getting a expert lawyer who is aware of the foreclosure rules in your state is likewise a strong selection. This is in all likelihood the simplest but also most pricey way to genuinely see what foreclosure appears as in your state, what your rights are and what the greatest choice is for you in your unique position. This form of individual assistance and advice is genuinely worthwhile when you are in the middle of foreclosure.

A HUD housing advisor may also be capable to assist you in greater seeing of what your rights are and what the timeframes are for your state. If there is a HUD advocate close to you, this is a solid resource and it is also no cost. They can examine your position and assist you in working out what the optimal line of action is for you given what you are confronting.

Lining up effective resources to aid you in understanding the foreclosures procedures in your state does not need to be tough. Realizing what those operations are can prove a bit more tough but there is help available to you. To understand more about how foreclosure functions, go to http://www.Stopping-Home-Foreclosure.com/ForeclosureProcedure.html

Real Estate Investors: Checking Public Records

by John Turk

Knowledge is power! Real estate investors that take the time to dig into public records will no doubt save time, money and minimize stress. With the facts in hand, you can approach the seller with confidence and provide options based on the property value and the seller’s net worth. So take a deep breath and relax as I show you just how to obtain the information you’ll need.

What information do I need?

The type of information you’ll need includes the price and date of the last sale, the amount of each mortgage, when the mortgages were taken out, the terms of the loan(s) and what other liens encumber the property. All of this can be obtained quickly by checking public records.

How is this information used?

With this data upfront and in hand, it creates a winning scenario for both the seller and I. The information helps me construct three doable offers for the sale of the property. For example:
- Equity in home: A substantial equity in a home is what every seller hopes to have at the time of sale and the higher the equity the higher the chance is that the seller will hold out for a higher offer.
- Existing loan terms favorable: Another offer could be buying the house subject to the existing loan
- Minimal equity: If the seller has minimal equity, a short sale acceptance by lender offer can be favorable.
All of this information is pivotal to how the offers are structured. It’s best for the real estate investor to come to the table with a comprehensive offer rather than making costly mistakes by creating offers on the fly.

How do I find this information?

The two main sources are staring you in the face! That thing on your desk called a computer is your information highway to the public records on the internet. With a little digging you can find all the information you need. The other is the seller.

Most investors collect seller information over the phone. While this is valuable I have found that many homeowners simply do not remember the details regarding their home/loan. Then there are those who would rather not open up to a complete stranger over the phone. I’ve learned over the years as a real estate investor to not relay on the seller’s data, but I do verify it once it looks like I have a deal.

In closing

As a real estate investor it is your responsibility to always be prepared. The seller is looking to you to find a buyer for their property. With a little due diligence, you can save grace and impress others. The importance of this data being accurate will allow you to confidently structure offers before you even visit the home. The seller will be impressed and the boost of confidence also does well for the ego

About The Author:

Real estate investors that take the time to dig into public records will no doubt save time, money and minimize stress.John Turk is a real estate investing expert on Wholesaling & many things pertaining to this subject. Check out his site to learn how to make a literal fortune in the wonderful world of real estate investing, along with the latest tips & strategies used by the industry experts right now at http://greathousedealsflorida.com/

4 Tips for Proper Tenant Screening

by Linda Rolandis

In today’s world, crime and corruption is at an all time high and landlords need to feel safe and secure when the key to their property is being handed over to a stranger. There has been a steady increase in tenant fraud, involving property damage, unpaid monthly payments, criminal activity, and false credit reports. Tenant screening is an essential process to ensure the prospective renter qualifies to live in the property. Proper screening involves many different aspects, some of the most important being discussed here.

1. Obtain adequate identification from the tenant. This step is a first round screening attempt to match the entries on the rental application for verification. Names, addresses, social security numbers (where applicable) should match and be double-checked for accuracy. Adequate identification includes drivers licenses, birth certificates, or a valid US passport.

2. Require the tenant to fill out an extensive rental application. The application should include at a minimum the name, current and previous addresses, primary and secondary phone numbers, work and salary information, and bank accounts. Also included should be a section on credit history, with questions directly related to their ability to make payments with their current salary and expenses. In addition, the prospective renter should be able to list at least two references the landlord can contact for further verification. These items are essential; the rest is up to the jurisdiction of the landlord.

3. The most important aspect of tenant screening involves obtaining accurate tenant background checks. These reports will detail extensive information involving issues such as criminal activity and sex offender status. It will also outline the same information provided on the rental application which can be compared and evaluated. In addition, the check should include nationwide arrests and activity, not just in the state of application.

The background check will also provide information relating to previous addresses, employers, and alias information. As stated before, it is imperative to compare these reports with the rental application for accuracy. If these records do not match, there should be some concern and proper action should be taken.

4. Obtaining a credit history is imperative and should be included with the tenant background check. These reports will list the future tenant’s credit mishaps, late payments, bankruptcies, and previous addresses. This information should be a major part of the decision-making process.

Sometimes landlords neglect to run a background check due to the fees involved. In the real estate market, it is a common, if not a mandatory practice to charge the renters the fee for the check in the rental application fee. All fees should be paid upfront and should cover all aspects of the process. The landlord is not responsible for these fees. If the renter complains, then a landlord should consider this a part of the screening process, and should seriously consider the character of this individual as a possible tenant.

Whether you are the landlord of a single unit or an extensive complex, tenant screening is not only a good practice, but it will save you money and time in the long run. Good renters are hard to come by and unfortunately there are more horror stories than good. You do not have to be one of those victims. Simple tenant screening with tenant background checks will give you all of the information you need to make the right decision.

About the Author:
Guard your family from tenant fraud. Get a tenant background check today! Avoid the loss of time, money, and property value. Find out how to prevent the common pitfalls with proper tenant screening.