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Pay Less for Your Dream Home: Check Out Our Free Foreclosure List
- James Ruff
- January 19, 2023
Table of Contents
Introduction: Why is buying off market and distressed real estate so popular in Miami?
Considering buying foreclosure properties? Since most foreclosures are not easily located online without experience you should find an experienced real estate agent that specializes in helping buyers find the best deals which can save you big bucks! My name is James Ruff and I have over 30 years of experience resulting in expert knowledge in multiple real estate market including the ultra competitive NYC real estate market and NY’s southern satellite found in none other than the Miami real estate market. When working with us as a buyer you can have access to deals you won’t find elsewhere.
Buying off market and distressed real estate can be a great way to get the best deals when you purchase real estate. When hiring your own agent to assist you in the buying process you’ll want to choose a team that can guide you through the hunting, negotiation, due diligence and transaction processes.
With the help of a seasoned professional, like the experienced real estate agents found at The James Ruff Group real estate brokerage you can succeed in buying a foreclosed home, by getting access to reo properties and reo sales in addition to other off-market real estate for sale.
Working with an experienced broker will ensure that buyers do not miss out on opportunities or leave money on the table when purchasing a home. Do you know the questions you should ask an agent before you hire them?
My agents and I at The James Ruff Group has extensive knowledge and understanding of how to buy real estate in the foreclosure process, how to buy distressed real estate, how to invest in fixer upper homes and non-performing notes (NPNs), how to purchase multi-family distress properties, how to acquire bulk REO packages, how to buy from absentee owners or vacancy lists, how to take advantage of probate leads or heirship leads, how to maximize profits with land flips and how to buy seller-financed deals while also guiding you through the process of how to buy off market homes in Miami or NYC. With The James Ruff Group’s experience and expertise in the NYC and Miami real estate markets, buyers can be confident that they will get the best deal on a home through off market and distressed real estate opportunities.
At The James Ruff Group we understand how important it is for buyers to get the best deal when purchasing a home and we are here to provide that opportunity. We understand how certain properties may be difficult to sell due to repairs needed or other issues and how these properties can present a great opportunity to buyers to purchase a property at a discounted price. We also understand how location arbitrage can be utilized when buying in one market and selling in another and how this process can help buyers increase their profits significantly.
We are here to provide our clients with the best opportunities available in the NYC and Miami real estate market. With our 30 years of experience, we have the knowledge and expertise needed to ensure that buyers get the best deal on a home through off market and distressed real estate opportunities. Let us show you how you can get the most out of your next real estate purchase by taking advantage of these great opportunities! Contact us today to learn more about how you can benefit from properties or off market and distressed real estate opportunities.
Where can I find off-market real estate?
Working with an experienced real estate agent that specialized in off market and hard to find deals is the fastest and easiest way to supercharge your buying power and find deals not easily found, or impossible to find elsewhere.
Get your free foreclosure sale list, other off-market real estate and hard to find properties.
What types distressed assets are available for the savvy buyer?
Foreclosure
A foreclosure occurs when a homeowner is unable to make their mortgage payments, and the lender takes possession of the property. These properties are often sold at a significant discount, making them a great opportunity for buyers looking for a deal.
Pre-foreclosure
Pre-foreclosure properties, also known as “Notice of Default” or NOD, are properties that are in the process of foreclosure but have not yet been taken back by the lender. These properties can also be a great deal, as homeowners may be willing to unload the property for less than market value in order to avoid foreclosure especially if you can pay cash due to enhanced speed of the transaction without the delays caused by lending.
Distressed Assets
Distressed assets refer to any type of real estate that is in need of repairs or has other issues that make it difficult to sell. These properties can be a great opportunity for buyers looking for a fixer-upper or a property to flip and with the right guidance you can take advantage of specialized loan products that will allow you to make all-cash offers, and borrow based on a percentage of the improvement value of the home instead of the current value!
Probate Sales
Probate sales occur when a parcel is sold as part of the probate process after the owner has passed away. These sales can be a great opportunity for buyers looking for a deal, as the property may be sold for less than what some would consider fair market.
Tax Deed Auctions
Tax deed auctions occur when real estate is sold to pay off unpaid taxes. These properties can be a great opportunity for buyers, as they are often sold for less than market value.
Foreclosures
Foreclosure sales refer to properties that have been taken back by the lender due to the homeowner’s inability to make their mortgage payments. These properties are often sold at a foreclosure auction at a significantly marked down price, making them a great opportunity for buyers looking for a good deal.
Short Sales
What’s the difference between a short sale, foreclosed properties, and pre-foreclosed properties?
A short sale is a real estate transaction where the seller’s mortgage lender agrees to accept a payoff of an outstanding loan balance for less than what is owed. A foreclosure process is initiated when a homeowner fails to make their mortgage payments and the bank takes legal action to repossess the home. A pre-foreclosure property refers to homes in which the owners are in default, but not yet in foreclosure. The pre-foreclosure period offers buyers an opportunity to purchase a property before the bank takes possession potentially presenting a good deal for patient and experienced buyers.
Short sales can present opportunities to buyers looking for deals as they may be able to purchase the home at an attractive price and avoid the time consuming process of dealing with a foreclosure. However, buyers should be aware that short sales may take longer to complete as the seller’s mortgage lender must approve the sale. Additionally, buyers will likely not receive any information on how much the seller owes on their loan and how much the bank may be willing to accept in a short sale transaction.
It’s important to note that while many people over simplify the process of buying a short sale, they often neglect to voice the challenge presented in short sales by mortgage banks. Often times the mortgage lender pulls properties off the market and are done move forward with a transaction even after a would-be buyer has invested significant amounts of time into the process of trying to purchase the target property.
Estate Sales
Estate sales occur when an asset is sold as part of the estate of a deceased person. These properties can be a great opportunity for buyers looking for a deal, as the property may be sold for less than fair value.
Pre-Foreclosure Properties (also known as ‘Notice of Default’ or NOD)
Pre-foreclosure properties are properties that are in the process of foreclosure but have not yet been taken back by the lender or put up for foreclosure auction, yet. This is not the same as buying a foreclosed home and can provide you much greater leverage than if you wait until the property is foreclosed upon.
These properties can be a great opportunity for buyers looking for a deal, as homeowners may be willing to sell the parcel or unit for less than market value in order to avoid foreclosure. Timing is critical if you plan to take advantage of the opportunities presented by a pre-foreclosure.
Bank Owned Properties (also known as REO or Real Estate Owned)
Bank-owned properties are foreclosed homes and foreclosed properties that have been taken back by the lender due to the homeowner’s inability to make their mortgage payments resulting in a foreclosure sale. This type of foreclosed property is often sold at a significant discount, making them a great opportunity for buyers looking for a deal.
Get your free foreclosure sale list, other off-market real estate and hard to find properties.
Abandoned Properties
Abandoned properties are properties that have been vacant for an extended period of time and are no longer being maintained by the owner. These properties can be a great opportunity for buyers looking for a fixer-upper or a house to flip.
Investment Pools
Investment pools refer to groups of investors who pool their resources to purchase properties. These can be a great opportunity for buyers looking to get into real estate investing without the high cost of purchasing a property on their own.
Wholesale Deals
Wholesale deals refer to properties that are sold at a discounted asking price to investors, who then turn around and resell the property for a profit. These deals can be a great opportunity for buyers looking to enter the real estate market.
HUD Homes
HUD homes are properties that have been owned by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) due to foreclosure on a federally-insured mortgage. These properties are often sold at a discounted price, making them a great opportunity for buyers.
VA Foreclosures
VA foreclosures refer to properties that have been taken back by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) due to foreclosure on a VA-backed mortgage. These properties are often sold at a discounted price, making them a great opportunity for buyers.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Homes
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac homes are properties that have been taken back by the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) due to foreclosure on a conforming loan. These properties are often sold at a discounted price, making them a great opportunity for buyers.
Get your free foreclosure sale list, other off-market real estate and hard to find properties.
Pre-Auction Sales (also known as ‘preforeclosure sales’)
Pre-auction sales are sales that occur before a property is set to be auctioned off. These sales can be a great opportunity for buyers looking for a deal, as the homeowner may be willing to sell the real estate for less than they could had the acted sooner in order to avoid foreclosure.
Creative Financing Options
Creative financing options refer to alternative methods of financing a property, such as owner financing or lease-to-own agreements. These options can be a great way for buyers to purchase a property when traditional financing options may not be available.
Subject To Deals (also known as “taking over the payments”)
Subject to deals refer to properties that are sold with the existing mortgage “subject to” the terms of the current mortgage. These deals can be a great opportunity for buyers looking to purchase a property with less money down.
Land Contracts/Contract for Deed/Installment Sales Contract
Land contracts, contract for deed, and installment sales contract are alternative financing methods where the buyer makes payments directly to the seller instead of a mortgage lender. These options can be a great way for buyers to purchase a property when traditional financing options may not be available.
Wraparound Mortgages
Wraparound mortgages refer to a type of financing where the buyer takes over the payments on the existing mortgage and the seller continues to make the payments to the lender. A home purchase deal done in this way can be a great opportunity for buyers looking to purchase a property with less money down.
Simultaneous Closings (aka “Double Closings”)
Simultaneous closings, also known as “double closings,” refer to the process of closing on a property and then immediately reselling it. These deals can be a great opportunity for buyers looking to enter the real estate market.
Absentee Owners
Absentee owners refer to property owners who do not live in the property and may be more willing to sell at a discounted price. These properties can be a great opportunity for buyers looking for a deal.
Divorce Sales
Divorce sales refer to properties that are sold as part of a divorce settlement. These properties can be a great opportunity for buyers looking for a deal, as the property may be sold for a bargain.
Probate Leads
Probate leads refer to properties that may be sold as part of a probate process after the owner has passed away. These leads can be a great opportunity for buyers looking for a deal, as the property may be sold for less than a a typical home on the market.
Fire Damaged Properties
Fire damaged properties refer to properties that have been damaged by fire and may be sold at a discounted price. These properties can be a great opportunity for buyers looking for a fixer-upper or a property to flip.
Get your free foreclosure sale list, other off-market real estate and hard to find properties.
Fixer Upper Homes
Fixer upper homes refer to properties that are in need of basic or extensive repairs and may be sold at a discounted price. These properties can be a great opportunity for buyers looking for a fixer-upper or a property to flip.
Non-Performing Notes (NPNs) and REO Note Deals
Non-performing notes (NPNs) and REO note deals refer to the purchase of mortgage notes that are in default or foreclosed properties that are owned by the lender. These deals can be a great opportunity for buyers looking to enter the realty market.
Distressed Multi-Family Properties
Distressed multi-family properties refer to multi-unit properties that are in need of repairs or have other issues that make them difficult to sell. These properties can be a great opportunity for buyers looking for a fixer-upper or a property to flip.
Bulk REO Packages
Bulk REO packages refer to the purchase of multiple properties that are owned by the lender in a single transaction. These deals can be a great opportunity for buyers looking to enter the real estate market.
Absentee Owners (also known as “Vacancy Lists”)
Absentee owners, also known as “vacancy lists,” refer to property owners who do not live in the property and may be more willing to sell at a discounted price. These properties can be a great opportunity for buyers looking for a deal.
Probate Leads (also known as “heirship leads”)
Probate leads, also known as “heirship leads,” refer to properties that may be sold as part of a probate process after the owner has passed away. These leads can be a great opportunity for buyers looking for a deal, as the property may be sold for less than market value.
Land Flips
Land flips refer to the process of purchasing land at a discounted price and then reselling it for a profit. These deals can be a great opportunity for buyers looking to enter the real asset market.
Seller Financed Deals (aka owner financed or seller carry back loans)
Seller financed deals, also known as owner financed or seller carry back loans, refer to properties that are financed by the seller instead of a traditional lender. These deals can be a great opportunity for buyers looking to purchase a property when traditional financing options may not be available.
Location Arbitrage:
Buying in One Market and Selling in Another (i.e., moving a house to a higher-priced market)
Location arbitrage refers to the process of buying a property in one market and reselling it in another market for a profit. This strategy can be a great opportunity for buyers looking to enter the real estate market.
Conclusion
In conclusion, whether you are looking to purchase an off market home, off market multi-family property, or off-market commercial property like hotels, commercial lots, industrial lots, or warehouses, through processes such as foreclosures, pre-foreclosures, or simply buying off market real estate via private sales ,and distressed assets in Miami and NYC, can be a great way to find deals on your dream home or real estate investment. Provided you qualify, our team can help you achieve a fully underwritten pre-approval letter that is as good as cash to help empower you to achieve your real estate goals. With so many opportunities available, it’s important to do your research and work with a professional to find the right property for you. With the right strategy, you can pay less for your dream home and start building equity in your favorite real estate market. If you’re looking to purchase in NYC or Miami, you deserve the best, and we will help you build your wealth, security and happiness through quality real estate guidance.
Contact us today for more information or feel free to schedule an appointment so can get the professional expertise you should and live a prosperous life.
Get your free foreclosure sale list, other off-market real estate and hard to find properties.
James R. Ruff
Principal Broker
About the Author
James R. Ruff – With 30+ years in real estate construction, investing, and brokerage, having studied at Harvard Business School, James Ruff leads The James Ruff Group Real Estate Brokerage Firm as Principal Broker and Owner.
Operating from offices at Madison Park in Manhattan, New York, The South of Fifth in Miami, Florida, and Cambridge, Massachusetts, his team of expert advisors specializes in luxury residential and commercial properties throughout the USA.
James Ruff’s team is dedicated to helping you build wealth, security, and happiness through quality real estate guidance, one transaction at a time, for a lifetime.
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