Forget coffee and avocado toast — most people blow nearly 40% of their money in the same place | Business Insider Magazine.

• Housing accounts for about 37% of the average American's budget.
• The standard measure of housing affordability is 30% of pretax income.
• Grant Sabatier, a self-made millionaire and the founder of the Millennial Money blog, saved $25,000 in two years by further limiting his housing expenses.

There's one area where almost everyone in the US overspends, and — spoiler alert — it isn't coffee. It's not avocado toast either, for that matter.

The biggest chunk of the average American's budget goes toward housing, which accounts for about 37% of take-home pay. Many people spend even more.

In some circumstances, spending a lot on rent or a mortgage is unavoidable. But in many cases, making a few sacrifices on housing expenses today could lead to significant savings — and a far more comfortable future.

Take, for example, Grant Sabatier, a 30-something self-made millionaire who founded the finance blog Millennial Money. He was able to save about $25,000 in two years by cutting back on housing, as well as transportation and dining expenses.

"At the end of the day it comes down to a personal choice, but I was happy moving to a smaller apartment, moving closer to my office, and eating out less, to bank the difference," Sabatier wrote on Millennial Money.

He continued:

"While I don't have the exact figures, I estimate that cutting back for 2 years, before buying my first home, I was able to save about $25,000 that I invested in 2011 and 2012, and that 'cutting back' is now worth more than $100,000 in my investment accounts. I'm going to continue to let it grow and hopefully making that decision 2 years ago will compound in 20 years into a lot more money."

Saving enough over a 40-year career to maintain your lifestyle in retirement is challenging enough. There's no shortage of advice about how much you should be saving, typically at least 10% of your income. But with the current US savings rate at 5.3%, according to the Federal Reserve, many Americans will come up short.

But there's a lot to be learned from people like Sabatier who have managed to hit their savings goals well before 65.

Rather than depriving yourself of coffee and avocado toast — though you might want to do that as well — take a hard look at how much you're paying for housing right now. If it's more than 30% of your pretax income, the standard measure of housing affordability, it's time to make a change.

To make more progress on your savings goals, however, you'll want to limit your housing expenses even further. Look for a place that costs 25% or less of your after-tax income, and funnel all of the cash you save toward your retirement accounts.

In some parts of the country (hi, New York and the rest of the Northeast), the percentage spent on housing can be even higher than the 37% average. But that doesn't mean it's impossible to find affordable options, even if you have to have multiple roommates or a longer commute.

Keeping housing costs low is smart, no matter how much money you have. The billionaire investor Warren Buffett lives in a modest house worth 0.001% of his total wealth.

The best financial move you can make is to literally move to a less expensive home. Once you do, you can celebrate at your local coffee shop.

4 Tips on Selling Your House When You Need to Relocate in Orlando

August 23, 2017

By Eugene

It’s not always easy to know how to be successful with a real estate sale, especially when you’re selling your house when you need to relocate in Orlando quickly. But there are some tips and suggestions that you can follow when selling your Orlando house that will lead to a successful sale.

In this post, we will offer some suggestions for putting your house on the market, finding a buyer fast that will be interested in your home, and closing the deal as fast as possible.

4 Tips on Selling Your House When You Need to Relocate in Florida

1. Beautify Your Home

First, make your house as beautiful and presentable as it can possibly be. When it looks attractive and beautiful to your potential buyers, you won’t have to work as hard at convincing them that it is a great home. When selling your house to buyers, be proud of your house and explain to the buyer why you need to sell quickly. Then they won’t think it is some other nefarious reason. Tell them that due to a job or relationship change, you need to move fast and therefore, you cannot afford to wait to sell.

Creating a sense of urgency for your house may make them more eager to purchase, as long as they know that you are being honest with them about the house.

2. Offer to help with some of the expenses

Think like the buyer and consider all of the costs they will have to deal with when purchasing your home. Expenses such as property taxes, clean-up costs, or moving expenses, to name a few. When you consider the other expenses outside of the price the buyer will pay for your house, you may be able to strike a deal faster with a buyer.

3. Lower the price

When trying to find a buyer in Apopka, compare your home to those in your local real estate market and lower the price to be more competitive. When you don’t ask for too much, you will increase your chances of closing a deal much faster than if you asked for what you would want for your house ideally.

Remember that, if you’re needing to move fast, you cannot afford to sit and wait for your house to sell. Some homes stay on the market for years. If you have a new location that you must move to quick, you’ll have to settle for a little less return on your investment than if you had all the time in the world.

4. Get to know your buyer

Much of the real estate sales experience has to know with getting to know your buyer. The more you can connect to the buyer, the more likely it is that they will do business with you. In this way, the real estate business is no different than any other business. People are more likely to deal with people they like and whom they trust.

Build credibility with your potential buyer and offer to do something for them that they cannot do for themselves; such as offering them a discount if they purchase within 30 days or offering to have someone babysit their kids while they view the house.

How We Can Help

If you are preparing to move to a new location and need to sell your house fast, we can help. We know the real estate business from both sides: buying and selling. We can help you figure out how to reach those eager buyers and close your deal fast so you can get on the road to your new location!

Cash is no longer king for South Florida homebuyers | Sun Sentinel | Paul Owers

http://www.eugenehoffman.com/about-eugene-hoffman/

Cash deals are by no means dead, but they aren’t dominating the South Florida housing market the way they once did.

Sales without mortgages are happening less frequently as investors flee and traditional buyers gain easier access to financing, industry observers say.

In the second quarter, 46 percent of the home and condominium sales in Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties went to cash buyers, down from 49 percent a year ago and from 62 percent in 2014, according to ATTOM Data Solutions, a research firm based in Irvine, Calif.

Cash sales peaked in the first quarter of 2011, when more than seven out of 10 deals didn’t involve a loan.

“The market has dramatically shifted,” said Mike Pappas, president of Keyes Co. in Miami. “Cash drove the market in the bottom-feeding and opportunistic times, but today we have a real market with real buyers, and they need mortgages.”

Investors descended on South Florida in 2011 and 2012 as the six-year housing bust was ending. With prices hitting bottom, bargain hunters with fistfuls of cash scooped up foreclosures and short sales for pennies on the dollar.

The competition was so fierce that some real estate agents were telling clients who needed mortgages that they had little hope of winning bidding wars for the homes. Sellers much prefer cash to financing because they know the deals are likely to close more quickly and with fewer hassles.

Today, though, with values rising and distressed homes in short supply, investors who remain in the market are all competing for the same few properties, said David Dweck, founder of the Boca Real Estate Investment Club.

“The days of the high-profit flip are over, for sure,” he said. “There will always be foreclosures, but they won’t be at the level we experienced in the past.”

During and after the housing bust, lenders tightened underwriting standards, making it difficult for first-time buyers and others to qualify for mortgages. But those requirements have gradually loosened as the housing market has recovered, allowing more buyers to take advantage of historically low interest rates.

Avoid These 5 Risks Using Tax Liens in Orlando

August 17, 2017

By Eugene

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Using tax liens in Orlando is an attractive yet widely misunderstood investment option that is becoming more popular. Here is a cliff notes guide on how they work. Every city and county collect property taxes on real estate.

When property owners fail to pay the tax bill, the city is more than happy letting you pay someone else’s tax bill. This doesn’t come without risk to the investor.

What do you get for being the kind person paying someone else’s taxes? You earn interest on your money with the property as collateral. The ultimate goal is foreclosing on a property if the owner doesn’t pay the back taxes and interest.

Sounds pretty simple, right?

Don’t be fooled. For every investor making money with tax lien investments, there are a dozen others losing in the process, barely breaking even or losing money because of some unforeseen risk.

Find out more about Investors Goldmine

Avoid these 5 risks using tax liens in Orlando

Property Has No Intrinsic Value

People often assume that all real property has value. Not always true. There may be a valid reason why the property owner isn’t paying his property tax bill. Maybe it’s in a swamp or covered under a mudslide. Maybe the owner thinks the house is haunted or even overrun by gang members.

Getting any tax payments covering your investment and expected interest in these types of scenarios is difficult.  Worse, you might get stuck foreclosing on a property that that original owner couldn’t even unload. If any structures on the property are deemed a nuisance or hazard, you could become liable for additional costs once you take ownership.

The bottom line: visually inspect homes and neighborhoods as best you can, talk to realtors in the area about crime, hazards and other potential supernatural issues, and determine if the owner is abandoning the property for any reason other than financial hardship.

Other Tax Liens in Orange County

Generally, property taxes in Orlando take the first position in a foreclosure process, meaning it can write off an entire mortgage for the cost of a tax lien. While this sounds great, you may find yourself stuck with other taxes that don’t get forgiven in the foreclosure process including potential county, city or public school taxes. Check with the county assessor’s office before tying up your investment funds on properties with other encumbrances. Do you want to take a peek at tax lien properties for sale in Orange County ? Click here.

Not Fully Understanding Purchase

Tax lien sales vary from state to state and even within counties. Tax lien sales are different than tax deed sales. Tax liens are an investment over time where a deed sale gives you ownership immediately. If you’re paying a higher premium for a tax lien mistaking it for a tax deed, you’ll probably overpay for something that you thought gave you ownership of the property.

Paying $10,000 for a tax lien thinking it was a deed means you might have paid $9,000 over for the value of a $1,000 lien. You can see that isn’t a good investment.

Talk to the tax collection office to make sure you understand how deed sales and tax liens in Orlando work, what the process is and how foreclosures in Florida work. Don’t assume that a good deal in Florida is the same as another deal anywhere else in the country.

Laws and Politics Vary and Change

Unfortunately, things change in the investment landscape. Bankruptcy laws might delay foreclosures in some areas.  A foreclosure judge might not let you throw 98-year old Aunt Mae to the curb for being old and poor.

When you invest in Orlando, make sure you understand and stay abreast of the rules that affect your investment. If you can’t, consider sticking closer to home with your hard-earned money.

Poorly Researched Auction Purchases

Auctions are exciting. This is good for auctioneers and cities. It isn’t good for an investor getting caught up in the emotional feeding frenzy. Don’t be the minnow, be the shark.

Sharks know exactly what properties they want and the max price is for each. They know this because they researched every public detail available on the property and then conducted a visual inspection. Sharks estimate costs associated with fixing it and what the market in Orlando will yield.

Sharks know their profit margins well. Take your time, learn the process and jump in when you know enough details to make smart investment decisions.

When considering new investment strategies, let us help you avoid the risks of using tax liens in Orlando. Give us a call at 321-363-9625 or fill out the form on our website today.

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Tips on Selling a Rent to Own House in Orlando Fast

August 16, 2017

By Eugene

Are you planning to move soon or relocating to another area and need to sell your home fast? Sometimes it just takes looking at something from another perspective. Selling a house with a rent to own arrangement may be a solution if you cannot sell your home fast enough the traditional way.

Why Sell with a Rent To Own Contract?

If you need to sell your home fast, selling a rent to own house is sometimes easier than selling directly with a traditional sales transaction because it opens the door to more buyers. Some buyers do not have the credit rating or financial standing or resources to borrow money or get financing from a bank. Offering a rent to own contract gives them more options to purchase where they do not have to commit to immediate purchase.

Another reason you may want to consider this option is that it allows you to purchase your home back from the renter if they decide not to purchase or if you decide not to relocate after all. A rent to own contract is actually a rental agreement or a lease with an “option to buy.” This means that it is treated like a rental agreement until the person decides to purchase the house in full. This buys some time for both you and the buyer to try out the deal to see if it fits.

What is Special About a Rent To Own House?

Some people think that there is something unique about a rent to own house that is not present in other types of houses. Actually, it is not the house that makes the deal unique. The contract is the difference. You can take any house that you previously had on the market and turn it into a “rent to own” house simply by changing the terms of the contract.

This means that you may try to sell your home using traditional methods.  But, if you are unsuccessful, simply tell your real estate agent that you want to add a rent to own arrangement as an option for the buyer.

People who don’t have the best credit may be attracted to such a deal because it gives them a way to purchase a home with a no-risk contract that makes them feel more comfortable to take the plunge.

Tips for Selling a Rent To Own House

If you have a house you’ve decided to sell with a rent to own contract, here are a few tips to keep in mind that might make it more successful.

• Focus on the house first. When trying to sell a home, you should always focus on the house first. Don’t talk money until you establish that the buyer is interested and when you believe it would be a positive transaction for both of you.
• Ask them what they want. It’s always a good idea to find out what it is that your buyer wants to accomplish from the deal. By asking them what they want, you may be able to find out whether they are in it for the long-term and plan on purchasing the house or if they are just looking for a rental agreement.
• Find out what they can afford to pay. If you need to sell fast, you’ll need to find out how much your buyer can afford to pay. When you are ready to talk money, ask them what they can afford and work from there. If you mention the amount first and it’s too much for them to afford, you may lose the potential buyer over cost.
• Save the rent to own option for last. Remember that if you are the seller in a rent to own deal, your primary goal is to sell your house. Ask them if they can work out the financing first to purchase the house outright. Then offer the rent to own option as a last resort if they cannot work out the traditional bank financing.

Rent To Own in Orlando

When you are selling a rent to own house in Orlando, you should try to find out what the buyer wants and how you can come to an amicable arrangement that will be mutually beneficial. Selling a home outright will always be preferable if you need to sell fast. But a rent to own agreement can work fine if you need the rent money while you are waiting to see if they will purchase.

Selling Your House During Divorce in Orlando – Options At An Emotional Time

August 15, 2017

By Eugene

Selling your house during divorce in Orlando can be extremely difficult. Emotions can be high in a divorce. Chances are that someone at some time wants to destroy the house. The reality is, eventually emotions subside and we all become adults once again.

When it comes to divorce proceedings, the courts usually guide us to being adults faster than we are ready. Keep the home in tact because if you have to sell, you want top dollar. Plus you don’t want your ex-spouse to claim you damaged the property and have your portion garnished for the momentarily emotionally gratifying deed.

Agreeing to Sell and Split

One of the common ways to split assets in a divorce, especially a house, is to put it on the market, sell it and split any equity equally among the two of you. This is common especially if there aren’t children involved. It simplifies things by eliminating a pending mortgage and if you can sell quickly, expedites the divorce process. That being said, if the housing market is slow, this could drag things on longer than desired.

Talk to a realtor. Get an honest assessment for your Apopka home. Find out what estimated costs will get you a higher return. Negotiate realtor fees to keep net profits as high as possible and do a market analysis so you have reasonable expectations of the sale.

Preparing the House for Sale in Orlando

Do your best as a couple to clean up the house and make it presentable for sale. Remember you both have a stake in the successful sale. De-clutter and make it look like a happy family lives there. Continue to mow the grass. And if you really want to make it smooth, tackle that honey-do-list you have been avoiding.

She’ll scratch her head wondering why you were incapable of doing it before and you’ll know you just increased your sale value. Funny how you can win that way sometimes.

The Next House

If you are selling the marital house and will be buying a new house, make sure to coordinate things with your realtor to ensure you time the purchase properly. Divorces get hung up in court and house sales get hung up for a million reasons. You don’t want to be tied into a new home mortgage when other components fall apart.

Be honest with lenders and start the process early. While you need to be prepared, don’t lock any rates in before you are really ready to pull the trigger. Constantly running credit for new approvals can hurt credit scores.

One Spouse Keeps The Pad

While this option is more common when children are involved (to keep them stable), it is a viable option in any divorce if parties agree. In this scenario, you decide to buy the house from your soon-to-be-ex. He or she will agree to quit their interest in the property by completing a quit claim deed. For their part, you agree to assume the mortgage and buy them out of their equity.

To buy your spouse out of the mortgage, you need to contact the lender and explain the divorce scenario and request an assumption of the loan. Lenders will more than likely underwrite you as an individual to make sure you can afford the house on your own. Make sure you document all income you have, including spousal support.

If the lender won’t let you assume the loan, you need to apply for a refinance. If interest rates are lower, this might not be a bad scenario anyway. Again, this is a loan application. Meet all income and debt obligations to qualify.

[Nontraditional Buyers Method] Rent To Own Your Home In Orlando

August 9, 2017

By Eugene

The rent to own market is one that can benefit both the buyer and the seller in the right transaction. Having a clear contract and understanding of terms helps mitigate risk on both sides of the equation.

The Basics of Rent to Own Your Home in Orlando

Today’s lending market has a loan for just about everyone. However, there are consumers who don’t fit into the traditional lender’s guideline book. It might be for a variety of reasons but often has to do with not having enough of a down payment. The rent to own model allows a renter to pay a comparable price as they would if actually renting while accumulating the down payment. This is all done while living in the home they want to buy.

Seller’s Benefit

It may not seem like there is much for a seller to benefit from a rent to own scenario. After all, who doesn’t want to liquidate the home and take their profits and move on, literally? There is a group of sellers out there who aren’t in a rush for the funding and see it as an opportunity to ensure a higher sale price.

Sellers may continue to take advantage of property tax deductions and perhaps mortgage interest. If for any reason the buyers balk on the deal, the seller had income for the property for the duration the buyers were in the property.

Nicer Rental with Caring Upkeep

Both parties win when it comes to property condition on rent to own properties. Renters are usually looking at nicer homes compared to most rental market dwellings in the same price range. On the other side, the seller now has renters with a vested interest in the property to help maintain and care for it.

Elements of the Agreement

There are four basic elements to the rent to own contract: the option money, the purchase price, the rent and the maintenance fees.

1. The option money is like a good faith deposit when buying a home traditionally except it isn’t refundable in a rent to own scenario. This is money given to the seller that allows the buyer the option to buy the home later. This option expires if not used. The sellers typically keep the option money.
2. The purchase price is the amount the buyer will pay for the home once they execute the option to buy. Negotiating this price is tricky because it needs to consider the future value of the home. It can be hard to know if the housing market will be higher or even lower. The buyer may decide if the market drops to walk away from their option or try to renegotiate. Sellers will look to negotiate higher prices compared to the current market price.
3. The rent is the monthly obligation while in the option period. While rent is usually higher than typical rent, a portion is credited toward the purchase price in the home. This might be 25 % of every rent check.
4. Maintenance is an option the seller can include. This would be an additional fee to pay property taxes, repairs, and general home maintenance.

Should You Rent to Own Your Home in Orlando?

While rent to own isn’t for everyone, it is a good option when a buyer and seller both see the value in the arrangement. The buyers get time to fix issues preventing financing today but still get the property. The sellers get option money with the potential of a future higher value sales price.

Buyers need to work diligently to execute the option and be prepared to qualify for a traditional loan by the time the option is due. Check credit and talk to a lender early in the rent to own process so you can establish the right elements of credit and income to qualify for a loan that buys out the seller at the option execution.

5 Quick Tips You Should Know Before Investing in a Tax Lien in Orlando

August 10, 2017

By Eugene

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Buying tax liens is an opportunity to own a property for pennies on the dollar. While this is entirely true when buying tax liens, develop proper due diligence procedures so you aren’t buying a piece of swampland and trying to evict alligators.

Here Are Five Quick Tips You Should Know Before Investing in a Tax Lien in Orlando

Start Close to Home

You can buy tax liens anywhere. Initially, stick to Orlando and the surrounding areas, where things are more familiar and accessible. You’ll be able to easily drive to visually inspect potential properties and neighborhoods. Of course, if your neighborhood is too expensive or competitive for lien investments, then venturing out a bit further is necessary.

But learning the process closer to home helps you avoid mistakes of investing in properties sight unseen. Once you have a few deals under your belt, you’ll be able to develop a plan and process to determine if further locations are a good investment.

Be Patient and Happy with Favorable Interest Rates

Because everyone hears that you can own property for pennies on the dollar with tax liens, it’s assumed every lien purchased results in a successful foreclosure. This isn’t the case. Don’t get frustrated. Continue to collect premium interest rates on the tax lien. Think about it: if you invest in a tax lien in Orange County Florida and it offers 8% interest on your investment when the bank is only paying 2%, you’re doing better than average.

Learn to appreciate this. Eventually, a foreclosure will fall your way. As you get better, you’ll also learn how to find properties closer to forecloser.

Do Your Homework

Investing in tax liens in Orlando isn’t without risk. Property owners may not pay the property tax because the real estate has no value – maybe it was built on a nuclear waste dump. You need to do more than putting your eyes on the property and neighborhood.

Learn how to go through public records to find title encumbrances including other taxes, potential bankruptcy delays, mortgage information and other history related to the parcel. Make sure it’s a property you can rehab and flip or rent out as is. Either way, doing homework gets you the best potential return on your investment.

Get Organized from the Start

While the first tax lien or two that you buy won’t overwhelm you, as time goes on and your inventory grows, you’ll need an organized system in place for keeping track of investments locations, payment schedules and foreclosure probation periods.

A big problem for tax lien investors is not following through on the investment when they see the opportunity to foreclose. Even worse is not realizing another investor is coming in and scooping up the following year’s lien and taking a foreclosure position away from you.

Investing in tax liens in Seminole County is a real business. It is not a hobby. Be organized so you can make money and have really fun hobbies, like traveling to Greece and learning to scuba dive.

Have an Accountability Partner

If you can, have someone you can bounce around research ideas with. If you can get a mentor, that is even better, but at least find someone who is willing to help you stay on track with budgets and research. This is especially true if you plan on attending a live auction where the energy is mesmerizing.

Undisciplined tax lien investors will continue to chase bids, going above budget and cutting into potential profits. An accountability partner should understand the bottom line dollars you plan on spending on each potential tax lien investment and help hold your hand down if you suffer from the “shiny object” syndrome.

How To Sell Your House Quickly In A Divorce in Orlando

August 9, 2017

By Eugene

It happens, and it’s usually unpleasant, to say the least. If you’re going through a divorce, you certainly don’t want to add to the anguish and inconvenience, especially when it comes to splitting up your assets. Finding someone who is in the market to buy a house in Orlando – in this case, your property – may be one of your goals at this time.

You have several options if you need to sell your house fast in a divorce. But wouldn’t it be great if you could sell your house fast for cash? That way, you’d be able to expedite the whole unpleasant process and have some cash on hand to help clear debt and pay attorney’s fees. But, first, before you decide, consider your main options.

How to Sell Your House Quickly in a Divorce in Orlando

Go Through a Real Estate Agent

You could always take the traditional route and go through a real estate agent. If you do, you won’t have to worry about showing your house and drawing up contracts and the myriad of other details because the agent will take care of all this for you. This is definitely a viable option, but there are some significant drawbacks.

First, you’ll have to get an appraisal, which will cost you. Your house will likely have to be shown multiple times, and when you do get a buyer, you’ll have to wait for them to get financing. Also, when you accept a buyers offer, the closing date generally won’t be for another 30 to 60 days. The average time for this whole process is generally a minimum of three months.

Do a Short Sale

Another option is a short sale, which means someone is buying a house for less than the mortgage. A short sale involves an agreement with your bank or mortgage company that will allow the sale of the house for less than is owed on it. This route can sometimes be faster than going through an agent, but it, too, has drawbacks.

For one thing, it can negatively affect your credit. Credit-wise, the best you can do in a short sale is to get a “Not Paid as Agreed” notation on your credit report. But that’s a lot better than having to suffer a foreclosure, which can ruin your credit for seven years. Still, if you can arrange a short-sale agreement, you’ll soon be free and clear of the property.

Try a Company Buying a House for Cash in Apopka

Another option – and maybe the best one if you need to sell your house quickly in a divorce – is to try a Orlando cash home buyer. If you do this, you can expedite the whole process, get a fair value for your house, and avoid much of a headache.

The whole process of selling your home to such a company – for a fair cash offer – can take as little as seven days – just one week, not months. Again, the professional home buyer buying a house in Orlando pays cash, which means you don’t have to sit around waiting for a retail buyer to get a loan. Also, you won’t have to pay for any repairs to your house before you can sell it. The company will make and pay for all needed repairs. In addition, the reputable companies pay all closing costs.

If you need to sell your house quickly in a divorce in Orlando, you just might consider a cash home buyer in Orlando. It’s easy, It’s fast. You’ll get a fair cash offer.

4 Ways to Market Your Property to Cash Buyers in Orlando

August 7, 2017

By Eugene

Cash buyers expedite the real estate sales process. There aren’t pending mortgage contingencies or potential qualification problems. Cash buyers are experienced buyers who don’t freak out at every little inspection turn.

While a cash buyer may happen upon the “for sale sign” or Multiple Listing Service (MLS) listing, marketing specifically to cash buyers takes some target marketing.

Be prepared; cash buyers are usually investors. They want a deal to fix and flip or rent. They need to make a profit. As such, investors seek properties at wholesale prices: 20-40% or more below market value. If you aren’t prepared to drop the price, you’ll dissuade cash buyers. Don’t be a pushover. But be flexible in price and terms when marketing to cash buyers and investors.

4 Ways to Market Your Property to Cash Buyers in Orlando Fla

1. Advertising to International Markets

Investors are in all parts of the world. Chinese, Russians and Middle Eastern investors like to invest in this country too. Most make cash purchases. Many deals are completed without the buyer ever visiting the location prior to closing.

Find a brokerage with an international division. International investors often look at high-end real estate markets such as New York, Florida, Hawaii or California. That being said, if your property in Orlando has the right mix of desirability, you may find the right international investor ready to buy.

International investors often pay market or near-market value rather than wholesale prices. Obviously, this is good for your bottom line.

2. County Court House Auction

The county assessor’s office has a list of foreclosed properties delinquent on property taxes. When the county holds its auctions, cash investors buy fixers to flip. This can be a great place to market your property to cash buyers.

The auction tactic requires an outgoing personality and you have to be willing to approach strangers. Foreclosure auctions are intimidating for any newbie. People are there for business: to win the property on their list. But if you can make a few friends and capture contact information along the way, then you can build a list of buyers accustomed to paying cash and moving fast. They obviously aren’t intimidated by problem properties either, so that can be a plus.

3. Real Estate Clubs

Find a local real estate club. These are groups of people who network, educate and invest together. They are always looking for good investments, especially close to home. Send an email to the director, asking if you can attend the next event.

Meet as many people as possible and let them know about your property. Invite everyone to an open house or private showing. Even if members at the meeting aren’t looking for a property at that moment, they most likely have a few colleagues in other real estate clubs to happily share new opportunities with.

4. Discount the Price

Cash is king and cash buyers know this. Setting a property price at wholesale prices gets every buyer, cash and lender-backed, coming out in droves. That being said, if you really want the cash buyers, marketing the property at wholesale prices catches their attention with MLS and other online real estate listings.

Even before the house goes on the market, send the preliminary listing information to local real estate brokerages. Many realtors maintain databases of investors who use realtors as their eyes and ears for potential quick buys. Getting in on a property before it hits the listing services (a pocket listing) means they have control over the deal without added market competition and chaos.

Final Thoughts

While any marketing may generate interest from cash buyers under the right circumstances, these 4 ways to market your property to cash buyers in Orlando can probably do it faster. Target international real estate brokerages, real estate clubs and auction sales to locate buyers. Then list the property at the right price investors can’t resist. With enough cash buyers, you may get a few offers higher than the traditional wholesale price.

If you are looking for investment properties in Orlando, give us a call at (407) 781-7312. We have a steady flow of new properties coming in but they usually sell fast.  Additionally, you can fill out the form on our website and we can send you new listings as we get them.

4 No Brainer Reasons to Invest in Tax Liens in Orlando

August 3, 2017

By Eugene

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Have you always wanted to invest in tax liens in Orlando but you’re not quite sure where to start? Investing in tax liens can be a lucrative source of real estate income and it’s certainly worth looking into.

In this post, we will examine four key reasons as to why you may want to try this.

What is a tax lien?

First, you need to have an understanding of what a tax lien is. A lien is placed on a property that the owner has fallen behind on their tax payments in order to secure the property as collateral for the unpaid taxes. Then there is an auction held for the tax lien to the highest bidder. The investor who offers the lowest rate of interest or who will pay the highest premium is awarded the lien.

Click here to see information from Orange County tax collector

Four Reasons to Invest in Tax Liens in Florida

1. High Return on Investment– One reason to invest in tax liens in Orlando is the fact that it gives you the right to the tax debt that the owner has not paid. The holder of the lien certificate collects interest on the property for the tax lien until the owner pays up on their taxes. So this may allow you to make a sizable amount of interest on the homeowner’s tax debt until they catch up.
2. Property Ownership– If you want a chance at owning a property at a fraction of the cost, investing in a tax lien may be a way to do this. If the owner is not able to make good on their tax debt, the property can be passed on to the holder of the lien certificate, saving you thousands of dollars while becoming the owner of the property. If the owner does not pay, the deed reverts to you.
3. Property Value Investment– As long as you check out the value of the property that you are investing in, you may be able to secure a good investment in a nice property for a fraction of the market value. If the owner cannot make good on their tax debt, you own the property. But this will only be an advantage to you if you invest in a high-value property. Make sure to do your due diligence to ensure you are investing in a tax lien of a property with promising value.
4. Passive Income– Another no-brainer reason you should consider investing in property tax liens in Orlando is that it creates an automatic passive income for you. As with any passive income opportunity, the work is at the front end. Once you get it set up, you’ll see regular income from your investment, provided the tax debt stays on the books for awhile. If you end up owning the property in Orlando, you can resell the property for added profit if you choose or rent it out for recurring income.

Are Tax Liens in Orlando a Good Investment?

Tax liens are an interesting way to make money on real estate. But if you are interested in getting into real estate investments, tax liens should not be the primary way you invest in real estate properties. That’s because they are riskier investments if you don’t know the property or the value of it before you buy. This is why you need a good real estate investment expert to help you make the best decision on any type of real estate investment.

Call us at 321-363-9625 to learn more about buying tax liens or other investment properties in Orlando. Your future in real estate investing starts here.