Home sellers find it difficult to sell a "fixer-upper" or an "ugly doghouse." These neglected houses scare away most home buyers, who don't have the money to cover the down payment, closing costs, carpeting, appliances, and other overdue repairs required to bring the home back into shape. Even if they have sufficient money, most home buyers don't have the motivation to fix the problems.

Home sellers with three problems frequently hand over deals to real estate investors. A "Triple-D" deal is a Doghouse, involved in a Divorce, and in Default. The label "doghouse" comes from Southern California real estate agents who described the worst fixers this way. As you look through the classified ads or at real estate listings, keep an eye out for terms like "handyman special," "as is," "fixer," "must sell," or other revealing phrase. Ask your real estate agent to look for these tell-tale words when searching the Multiple Listing Service for you.

Home owners' troubles often keep them from staying on top of their home's maintenance. Problems like employment loss, divorce, devastating illness, addictions, or other personal problems quickly defeat distraught home owners, forcing them to sell. These home owners can't keep up with monthly mortgage payments and repairs because of financial or physical limitations. When these difficulties get out of control, their home becomes a low priority and often goes into foreclosure.

Once you've found a property that you can change from doghouse to dollhouse, uncover the seller's problem and then offer them a solution. Home sellers with problems commonly experience financial woes; they need cash immediately. Investors ready to close swiftly set themselves up to negotiate a lower sales price. Distraught sellers love it when an offer to purchase says "close in 7-14 days." The seller may need to get money right away and still stay in the house while they find a place to move to.

Find a knowledgeable mortgage lender and get yourself not only "pre-qualified," but also "pre-approved." Taking that second step reassures concerned sellers that you already have your loan in place for their property. Also, use a veteran closing or escrow agent who knows what they're doing; one not too busy to close right away. Even in today's active real estate market, if your financing is in place, you can find closing agent who can help you close fast.

Once you've found a potential dollhouse owned by a distraught home seller and you have your financing set up, you're on your way to becoming a wealthy real estate investor.

Copyright (c) 2005 Jeanette J. Fisher. All rights reserved.