Many buyers are specifically looking for fixer uppers, handyman specials, tear downs, and homes needing a bit of TLC. I asked Dan to perform a search in Monmouth County, Ocean County and Middlesex County for homes listed under $250,000 which need a significant amount of work.
Needless to say there were quite a few in various NJ neighborhoods. Defining just how much work a property needs in addition to the inspection results is in part a personal decision. Many buyers replace carpeting, repaint and do other minor repairs but these are more along the lines of cosmetic repairs. What we are talking about today are significant defects and or repairs that may in some instances be required prior to obtaining a Certificate Of Occupancy.
Investors have been purchasing these types of properties for years to either fix and flip or fix and rent. The average buyer looking to purchase his or her first home or first investment property undoubtedly has many concerns when dealing with a handyman dwelling.
The number one concern is “where do the funds come from for the repairs”, secondly, how to make the mortgage payments on a property which is possibly not even fit to live in, therefore you would still be paying for rent or mortgage on your primary residence in addition to your handyman property.
I had brought these concerns to Jeremiah Phillips..Senior VP of Sales… to become more familiar with this type of financing and learn what was available as I am also interested in a particular property in Brick N.J.. Here is what I learned…
There is a loan available to both new homeowners and to investors. There is a way to get the renovation costs financed so you do not need to pay them out of your pocket.
To get started the final value of the home is going to need to be valued higher then the totals of the initial cost and the renovations. Each situation is different and if you are going to be living in the house after the house is renovated we can give you a loan with less left over equity at the end of the day.
How is works?
1. At the time of closing we will do a mortgage for the cost of the house and the renovation costs. There will be draws against the renovation costs as you finish some of the work. A certified contractor will be needed to verify the work has been done.
2. After all the work is done depending if you are an investor or this is going to be your primary residence we will not have to close again or we will have to do a final closing based on the finished value of the home.
Note: If there is enough equity in the house the mortgage payments during the construction phase will actually be added into the mortgage: Meaning – NO CASH OUT OF YOUR POCKET, which I like!
We will have to get estimates from professionals in the fields of work that the renovations are going to be done. This does not mean they have to perform the work. If you are a skilled laborer and you are going to do some of the work yourself it could save you money as long as the work performed meets building code requirements.
As with any type of loan the applicant must qualify according to the loan qualification guidelines but considering one of the guidelines is a minimum 620 credit score it appears many will take advantage of becoming a first time home owner or consider investing in real estate.
If you would like to talk about this loan, how it works, and how to qualify for it give us call at 609-760-9234 as for Jeremiah or email at dbozza@remax.net…. We are available weekends and evenings
Have a Good Night!
Nice weather is on it’s way!