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Your Guide to Investing in A Vacant Property

Investors Researching Vacant Property in Prime LocationFor Lubbock single-family real estate investors, vacant properties can give a lot of opportunities. There are vacant and abandoned properties in every single city in the nation, some of which may be in prime locations. Nevertheless, there is some question about whether it is a good decision to invest in vacant Lubbock properties. In the end, there is a chance that the property was abandoned (and has remained vacant) for a reason. Still, for investors looking for a bargain, how do you find vacant properties, and what is the process to buy one? In this guide, we’ll discuss these and other aspects of investing in vacant properties.

Are Vacant Properties a Good Investment?

By characterization, a vacant property is one that has been abandoned by the owners. If no one has lived in the property for several years, it may even have been turned over to the state. Properties become vacant for many reasons, including the previous owner’s death or possibly drawn-out foreclosure proceedings. Due to the different reasons a property may be empty, it may or may not be available should someone want to acquire it. If the property is tied up in court, chances are no one will buy it until all legal issues get resolved.

But vacant properties that are available for purchase may offer Lubbock rental property investors a new way to build your real estate portfolio. That is if you can find the perfect one! One of the big trials with vacant properties is that they are often in a state of disrepair. What that means for investors is that you’ll need to have cash on hand to fix up the property before you can rent it out. But repair issues may even mean that the property is available below market price, which could translate into a good return on your investment.

Tips for Investing in Vacant Properties

Just like any other investment property, you have to do a thorough analysis of a vacant property to make sure that you will make a profit. If the numbers don’t add up, no matter how low the property’s price is, it simply isn’t a good investment. When crunching the numbers, don’t forget to add the cost of repair work. You have to always have a detailed inspection done, checking for any major issues. Even if you don’t encounter any serious red flags, the chances are that you will have a long list of maintenance and repair tasks that will need doing, all of which will come at a price. Be sure to price out all repairs as carefully as you can since unexpectedly high renovation costs could turn your good investment into a cash-draining nightmare.

Finding Lucrative Vacant Properties

Tracking down the person or bank with the authority to sell a vacant property isn’t always uncomplicated. But there are a few places that might help you find the information you need more efficiently. One of the best resources for information on vacant properties are banks. Even if the bank doesn’t hold the property title, they may still have information on the property in their records. Another great resource is your local police station. Abandoned properties are prime locations for various criminal activity, which means that the police may be very familiar with the property you’re researching. Finally, you can drive around and look for properties that look empty and run down. Talk to neighbors or the local postal carriers – they might be able to give you tips on where to find the property’s owners.

Buying the Properties

If you’ve tracked down a willing owner and decided the property has good potential, it’s time to start the purchasing process. Although the process is quite similar to other investment property purchases, there are enough differences. It may be a good idea to find a real estate agent and a lender with vacant property experience to help. Contact the owners and introduce yourself, explaining why you want to buy an investment property in Lubbock. If they’re agreeable, you’ll need to get your financing lined up. After that, the process works very much like other real estate sales transactions.

Ultimately, you are the best person to answer whether investing in vacant properties is right for you. It can be profitable, but there are risks involved. Still, if you are an investor in Lubbock that likes a challenge and you don’t mind taking the time to research each prospect thoroughly, vacant properties may pose one of the most exciting ways to get your hands on some bargain-basement real estate deals.

Would you like more information on how to find great off-market deals on rental properties? Contact us online today or call us at 806-853-6546.

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