High Risk Merchant Account Services Rotating Header Image

Investing in Bankruptcy

Investing in Bankruptcy PhotoInvesting in bankruptcies can be a big money maker for the real estate investor.  Investing in bankruptcies can result in a substantial income when you choose the right property.  There are several laws that can change from area to area that govern bankruptcies.  This means that there are risks involved to the investor, and being aware of these risks can help your investing tremendously.

A large risk that you face with bankruptcies is that the owner can come back and lay claim to their property.  Some states even have laws stating the bankruptcies are not complete for a certain amount of time.  You will have to determine if your region has this type of law protecting the homeowners when they file bankruptcy.  If this is the case you may want to make sure the home is vacant before making an offer on the property.  You do not want to put your money into something only to lose it when the homeowners get back on their feet.

When the owner defaults on the mortgage a bankruptcy order is then put in place. The bank will start the proceedings necessary to regain possession of the property.  These bankruptcy properties are usually listed in the local paper under the sheriff’s sale heading.  The opening bid usually start at approximately two thirds of the appraised value of the home.  The highest bidder is awarded the property.  Investing in bankruptcies can greatly increase an investor’s portfolio.

Having a plan of action when you are investing in bankruptcies is a crucial part. The first thing you must do is determine what your plans for the property are.  Is it going to be a rental property or do you plan to flip the house?  Determining what you want to do with your properties beforehand is important so that you know what area to look in, and how you can make a profit from your new property.

Choosing the bankruptcies carefully is a high priority.  You do not want to find bankruptcies which will be depreciating, instead look for high growth potential that will increase in value. Just because the price seems to be right does not mean the property is the one for you.  Determine what the average selling time was of the houses which have been sold. This will give you a good indication as to what you can get for the property you are looking at.

When investing in bankruptcies you should always look at the bottom line.  If you can not make a 10% or greater return on the investment then it is not a good property to purchase.  You must know your market. Looking at past sales in the area is key. Determining whether the area is growing or declining is an important factor in the bankruptcy. Knowing how long each house that sold stayed on the market is also significant. You may find bankruptcies which have been on the market for six months or more, this is a good indication that it is probably a bad investment. With all the other investors out there, if one of them did not want it, you probably do not want it either.

Once you become more familiar with investing in bankruptcies you will learn what to buy and what to avoid. You will understand which areas are good investments and which ones are not worth your time.  You will also be able to understand more of the real estate market and the lending red tape.  This will help when you are investing in bankruptcies.

Investing the Right Way

Investing the Right Way PhotoThe world of investments offers a dangerous draw: huge rewards with the chance of terrible losses. Investors love the idea of accumulating wealth, but no one likes losing money. The trick is to know how to invest with minimal risk. Nobody can predict the fluctuations of the market completely accurately, but as you start investing, you’ll learn to take the losses and look forward to the next market high.

The market is uncontrollable, but it helps to know what you’re investing in. Become familiar with the products and businesses you invest in before you make the jump. Too many new investors invest in a hot stock from the previous year, excited by the market high. Remember: market highs never last. It’s smart to invest in a strong stock with a record than a trend that’s in one year and out the next.

Just as important as the product is the reasoning behind your choosing it. If you know why you’re investing in a stock, you’ll always know what your next move is. For example, if you invest for the sake of profits only, when prices fall you’ll know to drop out, instead of fretting over whether to wait and cross your fingers for the next market high, or cut your losses.

Investments are all about timing – not the timing of the market highs and lows, but the timing of your moves in relation to them. You have to know when to take profits and when to cut losses. Some say when the market is up, run a profit in case the market keeps climbing. However, others worry the market will fall, so it’s best to back out while you’re up. When the market is low, everyone knows to cut your losses – back out before it gets worse.

Don’t invest in what you can’t afford, and don’t invest without a good reason. While the market highs are satisfyingly rewarding, the market lows are part of the ride. Although much of investing is gut instinct, you can’t afford to make reckless decisions. Invest to your advantage, rather than let the market rip at your bank account.

The best thing to do is study the market. Don’t jump to invest before you study the product’s record and think over your reasoning. Some good books about investing include The Real Life Investing Guide by Kenan Pollack and Eric Heighberger, The Only Investment Guide You’ll Ever Need by Andrew Tobias, and The Wall Street Journal Guide to Understanding Money and Investing (3rd Edition) by Kenneth M. Morris and Alan M. Siegel. Know what you’re doing and why before you start investing.