Buying Real Estate That's Not For Sale

By:Steve Gillman

Buying real estate can start with a look in the newspaper, a visit to a broker, or a search online. These are all good ways to find your next investment property. You're looking at the same properties as every other investor, of course, so it's not always easy to beat the competition to a great buy.

A better way to find good real estate investments is to look for properties that aren't yet for sale, and make an offer. I bought my first home this way. I put an ad in the paper stating what I was looking for, and soon had a call from an old couple that had been thinking about selling. I bought their place at a good price, and they saved a broker's commission.

Buying investment real estate that isn't for sale starts with a three step search process. First decide what you are looking for. Single family rentals or apartment buildings? Then start looking for properties that fit your criteria. Then contact the owners.

Buying Real Estate From Non-Sellers

Don't limit yourself to "fixer-uppers" or other "problem" properties that seem more likely to have owners willing to sell. Many owners of investment real estate have thought of selling, so you can start with almost any building you like. You never know beforehand if or why a landlord is ready to call it quits. You find out by asking.

Tact is necessary here. Call the owner and tell him you're an investor, not a broker. Let him know that you like what you see. Tell him you can have an offer ready in a week if he's interested. If he's not interested, thank him politely and hang up, but send him your card or a letter. Many investors have bought from owners that changed their minds.

If there is some interest, explain that you are an investor, so your offer will have to be based on your return on investment. This means you'll need to see the books. Specifically, you'll need to see the rent roll, listing the units and what they rent for, plus current occupancy, and operating expenses for the last year.

Have a confidentiality agreement ready before you call. Let the owner know that you'll sign it and deliver it to him before you see the books. He may not want to let the tenants know he's thinking of selling, so inspecting the units may have to wait until you make an offer. Just make an acceptable inspection a contingency in the offer.

Why buy investment properties this way? No competition and no sales commission means you may get a better price. Also, instead of waiting for that perfect property to be listed for sale, you just find it now. Why wait until it's for sale before buying real estate?

Digg del.icio.us Blink Stumble Spurl Reddit Netscape Furl

Article keywords: buying real estate, real estate, investment real estate

Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com

Steve Gillman writes on all real estate topics. Visit his website for:
1. A photo of a beautiful house he and his wife bought for $17,500.
2. A free book on how to save thousands buying your next home.
3. A free real estate investing course.
Visit www.HousesUnderFiftyThousand.com

Top Real Estate Articles
1). When Daddy Moves to an Apartment By : Kyle Thomas Haley Divorce is hard, there’s no question about it. Not only has your marriage ended but, most likely, your lifestyle is undergoing some drastic changes also. This is especially true if you are forced to leave the place that was home to you and your family. Depending on your particular situation, you may find that moving into an apartment is your only option.
2). Alternative Investments – Which Is the Best for Your Portfolio? By : Stephen Todd If you are looking at alternative investments the one we consider the best has an average gain of 920% over 20 years and has outperformed shares and property with less downside risk.
3). The Pitfalls of Selling Your Home Alone By : Andrew Webber Many homeowners think that selling home alone without the help of a Realtor will help simplify the process and will save them money in the end. The fact of the matter is that selling your home on your own isn't easy work. In fact, you may actually lose a substantial amount of money when you try to sell your home alone because you aren't well spoken in the language and business of real estate.
4). Flip That House Style Real Estate Investing By : David Neese I love those TV rehabbing shows like Flip That House. On the show people buy a house needing to be seriously updated and repaired. Usually the kitchen is heavily upgraded with new cabinets, cutting edge appliances, new countertops and more. The bathrooms are completely redone with new tile, tubs, showers, sinks and more. The living rooms and other areas usually have walls taken out to open up the floor plan and usually carpet is replaced with some type of hardwood flooring.
5). Where Real Estate Investing and Speculation Collide By : Bruce W. Ford Some uninformed folks would describe someone who rehabs distressed property as a "speculator" or even a "property speculator." Don't be fooled! There is a VAST CHASM of difference between rehabbing and property speculation. Let me explain. According to Dictionary.com, the definition of speculation where business is concerned is: "Engagement in risky business transactions on the _chance_ of quick or considerable profit.
6). How To Find A Real Estate Agent By : Steve Gillman It's easy to find a real estate agent. Just put a for sale sign in the yard and wait for the phone to ring. The question is, how do you find a GOOD real estate agent? You can start with newspaper. Pick up the Saturday or Sunday paper - whichever day they have all the homes for sale in your area. You can also collect a few real estate guides to look through.
7). Home Sales Continue to Drop In Southern California By : Andy Goldman Home sales are dropping in Southern California. For the fourth month in a row, home sales have continued top drop, according to data for March.
8). Relocating to Tampa Bay A Great Place to Call Home By : Kael Its no wonder that Florida’s Tampa Bay area has become such a popular choice for relocating adults and families to call home. The west coast of Florida has mile after mile of white, sandy beaches and magnificently, beautiful natural resources. These areas include the city of Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, as well as Palm Harbor, Tarpon Springs and Oldsmar.
9). Real Estate Rentals - Selling For More By : Steve Gillman Selling real estate rentals isn't like selling houses. You can paint a house, and get a little more because it looks nice. Rental properties, especially larger ones, are different, because they're bought by investors, who look at income more than new paint. Raise the income, and you increase value to investors. Time to learn about capitalization rates.
10). New Hampshire Real Estate – Switzerland of America By : Raynor With soaring mountain ranges, New Hampshire is often called the Switzerland of America. Fortunately, New Hampshire real estate prices compare favorably to Switzerland. New Hampshire New Hampshire is a state with beautiful scenery that takes on the full effect of each season of the year. Spring and summer are tailor made for fishing, hiking and water sports along the state coastline.

New Real Estate Articles
1). Real Estate Agent Web Site; Clean, Simple and Effective By : Lanard Perry Great website designs focus on 3 basic values: simplicity, clarity, and speed. A site that is visually appealing, but at the same time downloads quickly and is easy to navigate is optimum.
2). Errors Made by Real Estate Investors By : Kris Koonar Some decisions need to be well thought out and considered. Real estate issues are no exception.
3). Why Real Estate By : Kris Koonar When you look at the lists of the wealthiest people in the world, most of the names there have one thing in common. They are all massive property owners.
4). Real Estate Lead Generators; Business Building Ideas Are All Around You By : Lanard Perry Real Estate Lead Generators abound, and everyday you are presented with opportunities to generate leads and earn commissions.
5). Custom Real Estate Web Design: Key To Increased Income By : Lanard Perry The Internet is a primary tool for effectively online, mainly because it has such a wide reach. Through Custom Real Estate Web Design you can market to millions of people as easily as you can several hundred thousand.
6). Tips for Successful Investing By : Kris Koonar One of the quickest paths to financial freedom and security is through the world of real estate investing. Millionaires and even billionaires have been made on the real estate market
7). Moving In Your New Home By : Jonathon Hardcastle Now that the paperwork belongs to the past and the movers have left leaving you alone to admire your new property, it is time to sit down and list all those things you will have to do before being able to relax on your couch or back yard and admire your new possession.
8). Costa Maya Real Estate Search - Trip Planning Guide By : Christine Harrell After all, the opportunity seems too good to be true with 57 miles of virtually uninhabited Caribbean coastline, property prices as low as $65,000 per lot, and a government funded project to boost tourism and property value.
9). Real Estate Marketing Reports; Instant Web Site Content By : Lanard Perry It can take months, and in some instances years to personally write enough web site copy to have an effective, lead generating web site. On the other hand, you can purchase volume content for pennies on the dollar and upload it to your web site in minutes. So, why settle for adding a page 1-2 times a week when you can add hundreds of pages whenever you want to.
10). Investing In Property In Mexico Means An Investment In Your Health By : Christine Harrell Many Americans who have purchased property in Mexico have discovered even greater wealth than that of their fast rising property values.