Rerhi The Realtor's Advice

Most real estate agents have access to REO/Bank owned. Depending on what market you are in, it is likely that most of the homes that you come across are REO or Short Sales which = Good Deals typically.

You may want to speak with a loan officer. Do you have anything saved towards a down payment? How is your credit? Perhaps a lease with option to buy or a land contract is an option for you? Although you receive a fixed income you may be able to take some money, perhaps at tax time if you receive a refund and use that as a down payment and or closing cost? Depending on how expensive or inexpensive your market is if your credit is good enough you may actually be able to qualify for an FHA mtg depending on your debt to income ratio. These are just a few thoughts.

You may want to speak with a Land Contract lender. I work with a group that buys property and sells to the end buyer on land contract typically at 25% more than sales price. If you want more information I would be glad to help. Are you working with any money down?

I list homes for a BK attorney and at times receive calls from angry home owners asking why their home is listed, when the court has sanctioned that all their assets be liquidated to satisfy any debt including the house. No insult intended but have you filed BK at all? This is one of the only logical reasons I can think of. I hope this is truly not the case and that their is another reason.

If you are in the Metro Tri-County area I could do a CMA for you. Feel free to contact me if you are interested. 

If you at least have a security deposit you may be able to find a lease option which will enable you to begin the process of  purchasing a home and repairing your credit simultaneously. This could be a stretch but in this market you may very well be able to locate one. I am very familiar with Ferndale and between there and Hazel Park I am certain you can find one as I have done a few very inexpensive Land Contracts and lease options in Hazel Park. Bottom line is that you need to gradually work on getting your credit in order. Do you have help in that department?

Depending upon how much he receives, what other debts he has and how strong his credit is he could possibly qualify. If not a lease with option or land contract may be another route to explore. Have you had any luck as of yet? If not please you can email me at RerhiTheRealtor@gmail.com although I am not close to Battle Creek I have an awesome loan officer who could at least guide you through the process.Good Luck

What I have seen as "typical" around these parts is $1000 unless otherwise requested in the listing. Of course the more you are willing to put up the more committed you are viewed to be particularly when submitting on REO's. I have found that more is best.

I have been approached on two separate occasions on ZILLOW by individuals claiming to want to purchase high end property in Michigan. We would complete all of the paperwork and then they would ask me to connect them with an attorney to whom they would send a check in the entire amount of the price to purchase which would inevitably be bad. I just could not understand what the objective was to this until the bank manager of the bank where the last check was drawn and proved fraudulent sent me this article. If you are dealing with any international client then you absolutely must read this!!!!http://spokane.bbb.org/ar ... cam-27244I hope that someone benefits from this information:)

The market is saturated with such properties where there is no guarantee that a buyer after being shown several homes will even buy just to receive a $500 commission. This is why you encounter serious agent who are ready to work with serious buyers and need evidence of such a commitment.