Buying a house from auction can be an incredibly exciting experience; it negates all of the usual drawn out processes of buying a house, from the supply chain to exchanges and completions, along with the risk of someone pulling out at the last minute. Having said that, it can also be a mine field and without prior preparation and some research undertaken beforehand you could find yourself with a ram shackled house that you don’t want.
The first task you need to ensure is that you are prepared. Unlike the usual house buying process, in an auction, as soon as that hammer falls you become the owner of that property. It is a good idea to read up on the pros and cons of buying investment property and familiarise yourself with the process so you know what you are letting yourself in for.
The second task, once you have decided auction is the route for you, is to locate a property. This can be easily sourced through the traditional methods of magazines and papers but also via an online property auctions website, where you’ll get to search from hundreds of properties, see pictures and download all the relevant and informative documents that apply to that particular property.
The third task, once you have located a property you are interested in, is to find out even more details. Some people will arrive at an auction, or bid online, without even viewing the property. It is strongly advisable that you do not follow this blasé approach. Whilst it may seem maverick and fairly appealing, you wouldn’t buy a car without test driving it so the same rules should apply when buying a house. Request a viewing of the property whilst it is in its pre auction stage so you can have a good look at every nook and cranny.
The fourth task is showing an interest, when you do this it is advisable to read the legal documents that come with the property informing you of all the details you will be committing to if you bid and win.
The fifth task is to ensure, if you are happy with every other task, that you have the relevant finances in place to be able to bid and win the property in question. This includes any deposit that will be required and the remaining value of the house.
The sixth task is to have a dummy run, as previously mentioned, auctions can be a daunting environment for novices and it is always a good idea to go along to see what happens prior to attending the auction you want to bid in.
The seventh task is the Auction itself. Your heart will be racing and your hands sweating and it is all too easy to get carried away on the day. Don’t. Make sure you have a clear price you are willing to go up to, but not exceed. This is very important. Bidding higher on a property than you can reasonably afford will lead you to all manner of problems later down the line. Bid safely, keep to your budget and hopefully walk away with a bargain!
Thu, Sep 2, 2010
0 Comments