No matter how good this current buyers’ market is, location is still king.

It has always been — and will continue to be — a key ingredient to any successful home purchase and/or investment.

“Neighborhood” is so much more than lines drawn on a map. It also means proximity to desirable amenities like parks, schools and shopping.

Indeed, where an area falls relative to other areas is important.

How far will your commute be? What types of neighborhoods border yours and do you want them as neighbors?

The April 2010 edition of Foreclosure.com’s free educational newsletter, “Investment Exchange,” is now available, which answers these important questions and details everything you need to know about “Scout the neighborhood.”

Don’t be lured in by the promising “fixer uppers” that distract you from unsavory locations. Make a list of what you want in a neighborhood and stick to it.

Check out “Scout the neighborhood” today to help you do just that.

To read this month’s free educational newsletter from Foreclosure.com CLICK HERE.

Las Vegas, Nevada, real estate broker Ken Lowman is taking his business to an entirely new level.

Literally.

Lowman, who has partnered with JetSuite Air, is offering “Sin City” buyers and investors with a “Luxury Home Foreclosure Private Jet Tour,” which will depart from Los Angeles, Calif., on April 17 and fly over three luxury (foreclosed) homes in Las Vegas.

Here’s his lofty pitch:

“I’m pleased to team up with JetSuite air to expose an out-of-town audience to Las Vegas to see these incredibly reduced-priced luxury homes. I’ve been telling all my potential buyers who are waiting in the wings the same message. If you have the wherewithal, now is the time to buy.”

If you think a luxurious birds-eye view might not be the best mode of inspection, then you’re probably on the right track. It appears to be more about the “experience” … even though several of the homes, which range from $4.65 million to $6.125 million, might be visible from outer space.

New York Daily News reports that if all goes well on the maiden voyage, Lowman plans to coordinate additional foreclosure jet tours from major cities such as San Diego, Calif., Phoenix, Ariz., and Salt Lake City, Utah, among others.

Interested passengers must show proof of funds and net worth “sufficient to purchase a luxury home.”

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) have issued statements regarding the need for alternative disposition strategies for distressed assets such as foreclosed homes and other non-performing notes.
HUD is acting on behalf of the FHFA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Both entities have cited that placing these properties on the market in a traditional manner (as individual listings) will further clog the market and negatively impact home values and neighborhood stabilization. With this in mind, HUD and the FDIC are looking at strategies to efficiently liquidate existing, as well as “shadow inventory,” in bulk to investors who have the financial wherewithal to make these large purchases.

How do bulk sales work?

Read the rest of this entry »

To rent or to own, that is the question.

In theory, buying is always better than renting because at some point you will own your house outright whereas renters are perpetually filling the pockets of others.

In reality, it can be tough to make the leap from renter to owner.

That’s because there is a lot on the line — there are several unknown factors that can and often do influence these types of decisions:

Do you have a big enough down payment? Will you qualify for a mortgage? Can you afford maintenance? For how long do you plan to hang on to the property?

The Feb. 2010 edition of Foreclosure.com’s free educational newsletter, “Investment Exchange,” is now available, which details everything you need to know about “Rent vs. Own.”

Our goal is to get you thinking about this important decision sooner rather than later. The housing market is still extremely buyer friendly right now — interest rates are still low, limited-time government incentives are still available until April 30, 2010 and chances are good that prices in your area have never been better.

On the flip side, buying a home or investment property is still one of the biggest decisions you will ever make. So you still need to consider all the pros and cons before jumping in head first.

So check out “Rent vs. Own” today so you can decide whether or not a home purchase or lease is in your best interests.

To read this month’s free educational newsletter from Foreclosure.com CLICK HERE.

And it’s not just because of the desert heat, according to the Wall Street Journal:

“Bargain hunters here and in many other metropolitan areas are up against a paradox. By far the biggest wave of foreclosures since the Great Depression was expected to be a bonanza for anyone with cash or the ability to get a loan. But prospective home buyers say it is increasingly difficult to find foreclosed homes at attractive prices in desirable neighborhoods. Supply is shrinking largely because of federal and state efforts to help millions of distressed homeowners avert foreclosure, which have delayed many likely foreclosures, keeping the homes off the market for now. The bargain chase is even tougher for those buying with a loan. Investors with cash have an advantage in that their offers aren’t conditional on obtaining a loan so banks often prefer selling to them than taking the risk that another offer will fall through. They are also often quick to react when bargains appear.”

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again — the best deals often get cherry-picked as soon as they hit the market by savvy investors and/or dedicated house hunters.

Yes, there is more distressed inventory from which to choose these days, but just because a property is classified as a “foreclosure” or “short sale” doesn’t mean it’s bonafide beauty right off the bat.

Finding the best home deals in your area, and then having the ability to move in on them faster than anyone else,  often takes a little bit of homework, preparation, persistence and luck.

A great way to get started is to sign up for our FREE daily foreclosure e-mail alerts. We conveniently deliver all the best deals, depending on the property type(s) and zip code(s) that you select, directly to your inbox.

Of course, you can also search foreclosures in Las Vegas and beyond right now with the limited-time blog reader special discount on our FREE 7-Day Trial.

Hurry!