Utron Blog

If you are thinking of investing in property, or have studied the real estate investment market, you have probably come across the term “flipping.” What is flipping? Flipping was once a lucrative way to make money in the real estate market in many parts of the country. In some cases, the amount of investors purchasing property with the intent to “flip” them at the closing, caused a surplus in new construction that eventually led to more supply than demand, hence causing the real estate market in those areas to decline.

Flipping is still a way to make money in real estate investing, but you have to know the market where you are planning to buy. Much of the United States is now experiencing a depressed real estate market. In many areas, investors drove the price of homes up so much, only to find that they didn’t have enough buyers to purchase the finished product, causing an excess in new home construction and, eventually, the decline of the market in those areas.
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For those who want to make some money in real estate, there are many different types of investment property from which to choose. Depending upon your skills, you may choose to invest in a rehab house, a foreclosure, rental property or a new home.

Across the United States there is a drought in the real estate market. In most cities across the United States, there are more homes for sale than there are buyers. Although the real estate market is depressed, now is a good time for those with money to find many different types of investment property.
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Rental properties are an excellent source of investment property. Many people choose to purchase apartment buildings, condominiums or homes that they rent to other people. The investor can either gain income from the rent received, or use the rent to pay the mortgage on the property.

Mortgage lenders usually require a larger down payment when mortgaging rental properties. In most cases, investors have to put 50 percent of the total cost of the property as a down payment. Some lenders, however, ask for less money down. If you are thinking of investing in rental properties, you should shop around for a lender who can offer you a lower down payment or low interest rates. Many mortgage lenders are very eager, in this depressed real estate market, to make mortgages to qualified individuals and some are offering excellent incentives such as lower down payments, lower rates and reduced fees to attract customers. Now is an excellent time to apply for a mortgage for rental properties.
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When buying a handyman’s special, there are certain things to consider. While a handyman’s special, or fixer-upper house, is generally priced much lower than other houses in the area, prior to buying, it is important to know what needs to be fixed and how much it is going to cost.

In many cases, those selling a handyman’s special will not allow a home inspection. The homes are usually advertised “as is” which means that there are substantial repairs needed. If you are getting a mortgage, chances are your mortgage lender will want to make sure that the house is inhabitable before lending you the money to purchase the property. Lenders usually order an appraisal of the property before lending you any money. The appraiser is not a home inspector, but can ascertain approximately how much the house is worth by comparing it to the sales price of existing homes in the area.
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