Title Searching and Other Research

What criteria do you all use to first select some properties to look further at?

I have the MLS, the foreclosure alert, can drive around, etc. But, other than properties that are already listed with MLS at way below FMV, what would I be looking for?

There are SO many listings in this area, I'm just not sure where to start.

I know they do a tittle search on a specific property that you're researching, but what else do they do?

And sorry for the newby question, I just gotta be sure to know what I'm dealing with.

Choosing The Right Title Escrow Company
Real estate investing can be a rewarding business if you make the right choice in hiring a title escrow company. The right escrow officer can mean the difference between a smooth and rapid closing or a complicated, delayed closing, quite possibly filled with costly mistakes.

You cannot be too careful when selecting a title escrow company. As a real estate investor your needs are quite a bit different than the average home buyer and the escrow title company you choose should be able to accommodate any and all of these.

In our area we have a great online source for property information with the County. All I need do is punch in the address, and I can get Plat maps, tax info etc.....It's good to bookmark any useful tools like this so that they are right at your finger tips.

Find out any and ALL Online sources of property info that you can find.

A well prepared warrior brings all his tools to the battle.

A REIT or Real Estate Investment Trust is a company that many use their invested money in real estate. This money can be used to purchase commercial and residential properties. Some Reit's will also finance real estate.

Most Reit's that we are aware of are traded on the stock market publicly. To be considered a Reit the company must distribute 90% of the money they receive in real estate.

Stock holders in a Reit are paid from the dividends of the stock just as other stock may pay out but the stock is secured by real estate.

Reit's can come in three forms:

Does anyone have a good website for finding comps for commercial real estate? Also. commercial property information? The city the property is located in doesn't have online record access. I'm trying to avoid the hour drive to the city records department.

Thanks,
KimmyJ

What is the best way to research information on lots? I have a seller that is desperate for cash that is selling 2 lots ready to build for $10k total. He claims the lots around the are are selling for $25k each, and I have done some basic research and found that lots in the area are selling for $13k-$200k.

I can't seem to pull up the lots on the county appraisal website. Any suggestions?

HI,
has anyone had any experience with buying a property with an old Mine? I am considering buying a nice piece of land with an old copper mine. My question is, will I be responsible for any clean up. If so, can it be avoided? Perhaps I will sell at a nice discount in return for not having to clean any old mine stuff up.

Thanks, Russell

Finding Missing Owners Of Abandoned Properties
By: Omar J.
Submitted: 04:14AM on Thursday 18 September 2008
The author has permitted the reprinting and redistribution of this article.

A common source of leads for the quick-turn real estate investor that exists practically everywhere is abandoned properties. There are several advantages to pursuing these types of properties that are known to investors. One is that if a property is abandoned there is a good chance that the owner is disinterested in the property and might be willing to sell it.

Here is a list of situations that make Short Sales MUCH more likely to work:

1. Needs Repairs

2. Has very low comps

3. Loan balance more than 90% of the market value

4. 1st Mortgage Loan Amount More than $375,000

5. Property value higher than $500K

6. Loan is 2nd , 3rd or Higher Mortgage