Today is the day everyone will be hunting the best deals – so where can you save the most money when you are buying a home?
Here are the three top places to get some really good deals at the lowest prices around! While these resources are available to the public, please know that I recommend you have a licensed realtor assist you in the event you want to pursue what you see listed. Generally, there is no fee for a buyer who is using a realtor when a home is listed for sale.
1. Lots of deals can be found by looking at VA loan foreclosures. These are government-owned homes that were secured by members of the armed services. You can find homes in any state and view some helpful details at the following website: https://www.vrmproperties.com/
2. A top way seasoned investors purchase homes is through the HUD website. HUD homes are also foreclosures that originally were mortgaged through the most popular mortgage product, FHA loans. They often offer special financing where repairs can be made and financed into the loan for qualified buyers.
https://www.hudhomestore.gov/Home/Index.aspx
Before I share the third way, I wanted to let you know that buying a foreclosure is not always easy. These government sites are not like dealing with a person who cares. You will often have to activate the utilities or pay extra fees to winterize a property before you close. They also have very stringent timelines, which is why I believe you are best served when you have an experienced real estate agent assisting you.
Purchasing these homes may save you money on the front end, but can be more costly in the long run since they have been essentially unoccupied or in an abandoned state for at least a year. I want you to be prepared for unexpected expenses after you close on the home.
3. The third place you can find legitimate steals on a property is a county tax sale. This is generally held on the same day each month, typically on the first Tuesday. Columbia County doesn’t usually have one, but Richmond County does!
This is something you do not get help from a realtor for at no fee. You may find one to help you for a nominal fee, or if you agree to use them to sell the property in the future. To buy a home this way, you need physical cash when you go to the auction. You will be bidding on homes that you cannot view or access in any way for at least a year.
You can find more information on the upcoming sale scheduled for Dec. 6 here:
https://www.arctax.com/203/Tax-Sale-Lists
I hope that you are able to find the best deals around while you are recovering from all that delicious Thanksgiving food! Remember to shop local and support your friends and family, and may God bless you as you navigate the holidays ahead!
