Buyers who are seeking to acquire a short sale deal here in the Carlsbad area (or nearby, or what is perceived as a deal...listen up.
You need a checklist before you get started, so you can be sure you WANT to jump through all the short sale hoops.
And thinking that possibly you don't have one, here you go.
1. Determine your patience level? (know that getting a response on a short sale can take weeks or longer; how long are you willing or able to wait?)
2. Hire a knowledgeable agent (always a smart idea but work with someone who has some experience with short sales - what they are, how they work, etc.)
3. Get pre-approved (again, always a good idea, but know that some short sale listings will mandate you provide a pre-approval from a specific lender, namely the one who is the primary loan)
4. Understand why you want to buy a short sale (sounds simple, but they are not necessarily great deals and there are many hurdles - are you truly serious about buying one?)
5. Understand the basics of what a short sale is and how it works (there's that requirement again to work with a knowledgeable agent who hopefully is not testing the short sale waters with YOU!)
6. Understand what AS IS means and be prepared for it (short sales generally are sold AS IS, i.e., without any warranties or repairs)
7. Plan to have a complete home inspection (you are foolhardy, in my opinion, if you are not VERY thorough in your due diligence; you can't cry "I didn't know" after the fact)
8. Look at your budget carefully (do you have cash to take on repairs and other unexpected expenses, on top of the mortgage, interest, insurance, HOA fees, etc.?)
9. Set expectations (but be realistic, and prepared. Some homes show well and others are, well, shocking)
10. Be prepared for surprises and changes (real estate is fraught with surprises, and short sales are no exception)
11. Don't expect the short sale transaction to act like other deals you may have been involved in - they have their own set of "rules"
12. Be willing to move on (be prepared to make the decision to move after submitting a offer if you need to)
WANT THIS IN CHECKLIST FORMAT?
DOWNLOAD BUYER SHORT SALE CHECKLIST HERE
I wrote an article about buying a short sale quite some time ago, and things have shifted some, and I know a lot more now. But it's a good article, especially all the comments from consumers like you who are experiencing, or have experienced, the challenges these transactions can present.
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If I can provide more information about Carlsbad and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.
All content copyright © 2008 Jeff Dowler Carlsbad Homes and Real Estate Tidbits
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If I can provide more information about Carlsbad homes and real estate for sale and surrounding areas, the housing market in general (or locally), or otherwise assist you, friends or family in a home search or sale, please contact my mobile office or text me at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JeffDowlerSolutions@gmail.com
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