All Forum Posts by: James Bitakis

I don't think I'm ready to bid at sheriff auctions just yet. What I am trying to find is motivated sellers; properties that are not wanted where i can contact the owner and make offers. These properties may be a family member  getting it via inheritance, long distance owners, etc. That's what I am talking about.

As a newbie looking for "deals", beyond just looking in the MLS, what do I look for at the Courthouse and what area of the Courthouse do I concentrate on? I plan on going today as I feel as though the MLS is light on good deals right now.

No, I didn't sign anything at all or made any verbal agreements. Looking at GNIAR (NW Indiana website for properties) and Realtor.com, it looks as though this property that I saw last week (and last Sat. I told her I wanted to make an offer, to which she replied, "Why don't you sleep on it".) is not on the market anymore leading me to believe someone made an acceptable offer to the seller (Bank-REO) and it was accepted. All week I've been trying to get back down there to make an offer, but she always had some excuse (too busy, doing taxes, etc.). Now it is gone. I realize now that I need a better Realtor. Wondering too if she called up someone else that she has worked with and they made an offer this past week. I hate to be suspicious here, but it seemed odd to me that she told me to "sleep on it' and later I had trouble contacting her. Interesting.

I am looking for an Investor specialist Real Estate Agent to help me find properties in NW Indiana & NE Illinois.  Basically I need a R.E. agent that enjoys working with investor buyers and knows what they are looking for.  I need one that will send me sold comps on prospective properties right away.  I need one that is somewhat familiar with creative buying, etc.  

I have a current situation where I found a random R.E. agent who showed me a property last week.  At the time we saw it I asked her to send me sold comps.  She never did, so I texted her asking for those sold comps.  She still hasn't sent them to me 1 week later.  I am very interested in making an offer on this home I saw, but should I find another agent to do this (get me comps, make offer), even though she has already shown me the property?  Is this wrong?  What would you suggest I do here? 

Thanks RIck for the information.  I think that I am up for the challenge.  I'm ready to search, study, learn, and apply.  That's one of the reasons I'm so happy I found this BP community.  I also subscribed to your probate site just now.  

So Alexander, if I'm buying directly from the seller, the contract should include a clause guaranteeing clear title.  Auction.com delivers clear title?  So the riskiest one (or one that I really need to due the most due diligence) is the County, i.e. sheriffs sale, and the Tax deed auction, correct.

But again, would you do a Title search before buying the property? Let's say you have decided to buy one at auction.com or even directly from a seller. I'd imagine the costs per title search would really start to add up, and then you may not win it (at auction) or you may not come to price terms with the seller. Shouldn't I know how to do my own preliminary title search first?

So my question is, I want to check a property for possible "extra liens" (irs, mechanics, tax lien, etc). What county offices do I go check? 

Once doing that, and then let's say I bid and win a property at auction, do I then purchase a Title Search or Title Insurance?  Just a little confused on this.  Because I can't see paying for a Title search (unless its cheap, like $10 or something), when I may not even win the property.

The auction is on March 8.  Would you send a letter or go to the door, or call on the phone? 

So, if the bank is having Auction.com sell this on 3/8, but the seller and me come to an agreement before then, can't the bank say "Screw your agreement we're going to auction anyway".