Strategies for buying investment properties don't vary much across different type of properties. Basically paying the least amount you can to insure a nice profit when you sell or refinance. Here are some basic formulas that work every where and a new twist that your real estate agent or title company can help you with.

1. Determine the best use and highest market value of the property in excellent condition. This research can be done by your real estate agent (comparable Market Analysis) or by your expert knowledge (experience) in the marketplace (you should know your market inside-out and not by guessing)

2. Estimate cost of repairs use contractor estimates (you should have a team of experienced contractors) that you can trust and depend on. Your experience will help you quickly estimate ball park numbers on most any project.

3. Calculate the carrying costs of the property. Purchase costs, taxes, insurance, Title, attorney, appraisal, utilities, financing (points, interest), selling costs (commissions), advertising (for tenants or to sell), overhead expenses and may be some miscellaneous costs not listed. On a quick paint and replace carpet the work may take 2 weeks but you should plan on 2 to 3 months holding time. Larger projects may take a month or two to complete you may want to consider 4 to 6 months carrying costs.

4. What's your profit do you want to make 10% to 20% on the deal not a bad profit but 10% on a $35,000 deal is only $3,500 for two months work and headaches. You may want to consider paying yourself a minimum $20,000 to $25,000 per deal this can guarantee a good profit at the end of every transaction.

5. Offer price is the highest market value less repairs, carrying costs and profit. This is the most you will pay for the property you want to start somewhere lower, some where a lot lower, an offer somewhere lower like your agent will be ashamed to present your offer.

6. A new twist to the formula, there are a tremendous amount of bank owned properties on the market today and there be more tomorrow. When a bank takes over a property they list it for sale with a real estate broker who prices it at the market value it usually sells somewhat less than that. But what did the bank actually pay for the property or what was the mortgage balance when they took it over. Many times what the bank has in the property is much less than the listed price.

Example 1:

123 Main St - highest market value $250,000, brokers listing price $240,000, bank costs through foreclosure $165,000. In this example the property needs only minor cosmetic work and can be turned over quickly so you offer $210,000 and will make a nice $25,000 profit. But what about the other $45,000?

Example 2:

729 New St - highest market value $195,000, brokers listing price $190,000, bank costs through foreclosure $102,000. This is another property with minor repairs; you offer $98,000 and close at $102,000 (depending on the marketplace you may close a little higher). Using our normal formula we would have offered $140,000 to close at $145,000 a difference in your pocket of +$43,000.

To the bankers it's a numbers game they are building a backlog of properties to move so you may have some good opportunities in your area. Work with your real estate agent or title company do a little more research into what all parties have in the property and you may make some bonus money on top of your planned profit.

More info on your stop foreclosure information search:

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