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The ample amount of online information regarding how to hire a real estate agent can be helpful for homebuyers and sellers, but finding the right one can still be a challenge. Professional agents should have the necessary skills and expertise to help find exactly what the client desires. These four qualities can clue in buyers and sellers that a real estate agent is a great choice.

Suggests Realistic Prices

When planning to sell a house, it is recommended to get listing presentations from several agencies. They will provide the market prices of comparable homes, as well as the amount of time it usually takes to sell similar properties. Working with professionals to ensure that a home is priced appropriately will make the process less time consuming and stressful.

Works Full Time

Some real estate agents connect home buyers with sellers as a part-time job; however, it is wise to choose one who works in the industry full time to get the best results. Such professionals are in a better position to provide accurate recommendations and tips as they have more experience and a deeper understanding of the industry. A full-time agent will likely spend more time scouting for a home on various listings or showing prospective buyers the house to ensure that the clients acquire or sell a property quickly and at the right price.

Charges an Appropriate Commission

In most states, the commission ranges between five and seven percent and is split between the selling and buying agents. Ask agents about commission rates when putting a home on the market or beginning a new home search. This is an ideal method to ensure that all parties understand the agreement. Also, be sure to ask about any offered rate rebates, as some companies actually pass on a percentage of the commission to the seller or buyer.

Has Experience in the Area

A buyer who is interested in purchasing a full-time residence should pick an expert who specializes in selling such properties in the area. On the other hand, people who are looking for investment properties are better off working with someone who has been facilitating such deals with other investors for years. It is also important to note that most professionals in this industry have multiple specialties.

Even if a candidate meets these four qualities, organize a face-to-face meeting with the home expert to get a full picture of his or her skills and expertise. Most professionals are more than happy to speak with potential customers to answer questions. Finding a real estate agent by following these guidelines will make the entire process of buying or selling a home far simpler.

When you planning to move, it is likely that your current home could use some upgrading; otherwise, you probably wouldn’t be moving in the first place. If you are preparing to list your home on the market for sale, it is wise to make some important repairs and renovations so that you can get the most from your asset. Continue reading to learn which major and minor repairs you should consider and address, as well as, how to get started.

Minor Repairs

Before selling your home, there are most certainly a long list of minor repairs that you can do to make your property more appealing to potential buyers. Even a basic deep clean is something you want to seriously consider. Here are some common minor home repairs that property owners will implement before listing their homes for sale:

Paint – New paint is an instant refresher for any room. If your interior has not been painted in a few years, a fresh coat will instantly give your home a new feel and cleaner ambience. Just be careful choosing paint colors. Avoid colors that are bold and bright, and lean toward more modest colors, like shades of tan, beige, taupe, gray, ivory, and even a soft olive green.

Flooring – Flooring is one of the top selling points for potential home buyers. New or newly renovated flooring can instantly upgrade the look of a room, including kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms, bedrooms, and even garages. This includes carpeting. In fact, many homeowners choose to replace carpeting with hardwood or laminate flooring since many modern home buyers are interesting in modern designs. Furthermore, carpeting begins to look old and worn out shortly after installation. This means that your carpet will most certainly require a deep cleaning and shampoo, or even replacement, before selling your house on the real estate market.

Lighting – Another detail that really impressed and influences potential home buyers is lighting and light fixtures. Outdated light fixtures are not appealing, so they will stick out like a sore thumb. Replacing or upgrading your lighting ambience and fixtures is an excellent way to enhance your home.

Major Repairs

Along with minor repairs, there are usually a few major repairs you can do to make your home sell faster on the market, and at the price point you want. For instance, appliances are a huge selling point for potential buyers. Water heaters, water softeners, sump pump systems, boilers, dishwashers, washing machines, and more, should be in good condition if you want to get the most for your home.

Another key factor is roofing and siding. If your roof and siding systems are in bad shape, it would probably be lucrative for you to repair or replace them before listing your home. Otherwise, their condition will affect the offers you receive on the house. The same principle applies to other major repairs, like foundation or water damage issues, mold, pest infestations, and more.

Where To Get Started

Contact a local and trusted home remodeling contractor for help managing all your major and minor repair needs. They have the licensing, qualifications, experience, and resources to efficiently inspect and repair all the areas of your home that concern you.

Whether you are an investor or a first time home buyer, you need to carefully consider the type of home that is right for you vis-à-vis the homes for sale foreclosures that are available in the market. Otherwise, you might find yourself stuck with a home you do not have use for.

When choosing from among the many homes for sale foreclosures that are available in the market, it is important that you choose only the best property for you. There are many factors that you should consider as a buyer and all of these play an important role in determining the right property for you. Here are some of the most important considerations that you should keep in mind before buying a house, whether for an investment or for personal use.

Location

Any person who has had an experience in real estate investing will tell you how important location is in maximizing the value of your purchase. A beautiful house in an undesirable neighborhood could only be a liability in the long run. When you look at a property, do not only look at its façade and the property itself but rather, look at its surroundings. If you see people who clearly have a strong pride in their home ownership, then there is a high probability that those people are satisfied in their homes and neighborhood.

Price

The purchase price is not the only driving factor that you should consider when thinking about whether a property is cheap or expensive. A wise investor will also look at any additional cost that he or she may incur in purchasing the house. Cheap homes for sale foreclosures are only as good as the value that they will bring you long after the purchase. This is why it is important that you personally visit the property to see if you can manage the cost of repairs and remodeling that the house might need.

Property Appreciation

The long-term goal of every investor in buying homes for sale foreclosures is to always end up with a property that could give them a good return in terms of its value. Property, if long held within one’s ownership, appreciates in value and this is good news for the owner since this means that the house, if sold, is capable of fetching a higher resale price. That is profit for a real estate investor and profit in this market means thousands of dollars in earnings.

When a homeowner decides to sell his home, he must make many decisions, some of which, will, generally, have a major impact, on his results, convenience, degree of hassle/ stress, etc! One of the first and most relevant decisions, is whether or not, to hire an agent, to market and sell his house, rather than attempting to do so himself. Trying to sell a home on his own, is generally referred to, as a FSBO or For Sale, by Owner, and this article, will attempt to briefly examine and discuss, 6 important factors, which should indicate, homeowners might be better served, by hiring the right, real estate agent, for their needs, priorities and concerns.

1. Knowledge of local real estate market: Doesn’t it make sense, a real estate professional, would have more relevant knowledge, about the essence of the local area and market, than an individual homeowner? This knowledge will be helpful, in evaluating the best way to market, the specific property, in order to receive the best possible, available price, in the shortest period of time, with the minimum of hassle! When homes are priced properly from the onset, they sell more quickly, and at a more favorable price, and a qualified, empathetic agent, will be able to guide a homeowner, with insight. One of the objections, some seem to initially have, to hiring an agent, is paying a commission, but, studies by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), consistently indicate, homes sold through agents, net a higher price (even after considering the commission) than a FSBO might!

2. Networking: The more a house is promoted, and, therefore, viewed, the better the chances of it being sold! Real estate agents have a network of other qualified professionals, who are most helpful, in marketing and selling houses!

3. Multiple Listing Service (MLS): Realtors take advantage of the marketing advantages of getting widespread publicity for their properties, offered for sale, as well as using the Multiple Listing Service, so the many local agents, know about, and show their listings. Remember, the more any home is viewed, the better the potential!

4. Negotiations: Quality real estate professionals have the negotiating skills and abilities, to objectively represent and sell, a specific home, and receive the best possible price and terms! Being able to negotiate, objectively, is a major advantage!

5. Compliance: Completing a real estate transaction, and completing the necessary paperwork, in a seamless manner, reduces many of the potential obstacles, challenges and snags, in this process! Realtors have the ability to guide their clients, based on experience and expertise, and bring the parties together, with a meeting of the minds!

6. Impartial eyes: My personal trademarked slogan is, I’ll tell you what you need to know, not just what you want to hear. It’s often challenging for a homeowner to objectively consider, how to price and position his own house, for effective sale!

These are just, 6 factors, which indicate, some of the advantages, and reasons, to hire a quality, real estate agent. With this in mind, doesn’t it make sense, to interview, and choose, the best professional, to represent you, and serve your needs?

Regardless, if you are a first time home buyer or a person who has chosen to Invest or become an Investor in Real Estate, you should read this first. Real Estate Agents can also benefit. A reminder that when a person puts an offer on a property, it is exactly that, „their offer“.

As a Buyer, when you put an offer in on a Property, you need to remember that this is your offer. When signing the contracts and attaching your Schedules, you need to make sure that the clauses are to your benefit. Be aware that the Realtor is working for themselves and therefore out to protect themselves and not you the Buyer or even the Seller in a lot of cases.

What is a Form 122 – Mutual Release?

This is a contract. It is brought into play by the Realtor, if the Realtor believes that you are backing out of the original contract, which was entered into to purchase the property. This contract is solely for the benefit of the Realtor and the Real Estate Company that the Realtor is working for. This contract needs to be signed by both the ‚Buyer‘ and the ‚Seller‘. The Buyer is asked to sign first. Then the contract is passed over to the Seller for their signature.

Here is the catch. When the Buyer signs the form (that’s you), you are automatically letting the Real estate company off the hook for returning your deposit money to you. You have just relinquished your rights to sue for your deposit, if it should come to this. Then the Real estate Company passes this form onto the Seller for their signature. If they sign it, everything should go smoothly, and your deposit should be returned. If they decide not to sign this contract, you do not get your deposit back. The Seller does not get your deposit either and it remains in the Trust Account of the Real estate Company. At this point, you would need to sue the Seller in order to have your deposit returned.

While constructing your clauses in your Schedules, make sure that your writing is accurate and precise. One or several of your clauses should clearly state an irrevocable instruction in the Agreement that addresses the situation. This is the only way that you can rest assured of having your deposit returned. Each and every clause that has to do with an Irrevocable time line or the waiving of a condition (which is an irrevocable time line) should be followed up with a clear statement, saying that the deposit is to be returned in full immediately.

Always have your documents checked over by a Lawyer. In fact, keep in touch with your Lawyer throughout the entire process, to make sure that the Contracts will be protecting you at all times.

The reason that I am suggesting this, is because, you may think that you have (and you very well may have) a sound proof Contract, that will protect you. While doing your due diligence on the Property, you find that some of the terms are not satisfactory and you exercise your right to walk away from the deal. Be aware of the Realtor, that does not know how to read contracts and thinks that you are just backing out of the deal. The Realtor will refuse to return your deposit money (which is being held in trust) and insist that you sign and fill out a form 122 – Mutual Release.

This form is a controversial form and if you do your research on it, you will find many definitions. Here is mine. The bottom line is that once you sign it, you will have negated your original contract and left it up to the Seller and the Realtor to get your deposit back. What the Realtor does not understand, is that the original contract will stand up in court. However, it is a huge inconvenience and time waster for an Investor.

So please make sure that your contracts are set up properly, because you never know when you will need that contract to stand up in the Court of Law.

We hope that you have found this information both enlightening and beneficial for the next time that you are putting an offer together and constructing your contract.

The Cayman Islands are made up of three islands Little Cayman, Cayman Brac and Grand Cayman. They are located in the Caribbean sea and are a British overseas territory. It is a fantastic location with great weather and for many reasons an ideal location to buy a home. Property for sale in the Cayman Islands has been popular amongst property investors not only because of its location but also because of the taxation system with no capital gains, no income tax and no inheritance tax – you can understand why!

The language is English with the Cayman Islands dollar (CI$) being the local currency however the US dollar is accepted everywhere. The government gathers its revenue by charging import duty which can be from 5% to 22% and particularly for cars anything from 29% to 100%.

The climate is typically Caribbean, the dry season is November to May and the wet season May to October.

If you are thinking of moving to and working in the Cayman Islands you need a work permit. You must apply for this before you arrive and you will need an offer of employment (the employer normally applies for this permit).

When you buy a property in the Cayman Islands you will be subject to the property transfer fee „Stamp Duty“ and this would be paid by the purchaser as part of the closing fees. This fee differs from location to location eg along the Seven Mile Beach it is 7.5% and the rest of the island is 5% and upwards. Once you have purchased a property then the title is recorded at the land registry office along with any mortgage (Charge) on the property. Solicitors fees are negotiable and tend to be around 1% of the purchase price.

According to a report by CIREBA (Cayman Islands Real Estate Brokers http://www.cireba.com ) property is on the increase and, in 2011, sales are up on those from 2010. In the September 2011 report it shows up to August 2011 property has seen an increase of 203% compared to the previous year. There has been CI$422 million in transfers up from CI$207million in 2010 and the figures are up on 2009 and 2008, but the actual number of transactions is down which means the high end property market is still good but the lower end is struggling.

Mortgages are available in the Cayman Islands and deposits are normally between 10-35%. There is no interest only mortgage available and you can ask to pay biweekly, which will reduce the interest payments and the term can be 20 to 35 years.

Property is available from Land, Condo’s or luxury villas with the higher prices in the Seven mile beach area, but if you buy to let then rental is also high in this area.

If you wish to buy a property in the Cayman Islands or any other country in the world then visit our web site http://www.online-property-sale.com or if you wish to sell a property then you can place a free property advert with us.

There are two types of real estate deals that you will come across. First off, and most popular, are the homes that are being sold by a real estate agent. Secondly, for sale by owner homes are also becoming more and more popular. There are pros and cons that go along with both ways of selling a home. And of course, these pros and cons also have an effect on the way that the buyer looks at the deal.

If you are interested in selling your home, you need to decide early on if you are going to get the help of an agent or attempt to do without. When it comes down to it, for sale by owner homes are not as popular as those by agents, but the percentage is beginning to pick up. As a seller, you may want to consider selling your home by owner. The fact of the matter is that selling by owner is more difficult, but at the same time it lends more flexibility as well as profit potential.

Here are three benefits of for sale by owner homes from the seller’s point of view.

1. When you sell by owner you do not have to pay a real estate agent for their assistance. Instead, you get to pocket all of the money that you clear on the deal. This is the number one reason that people consider the for sale by owner route.

2. For sale by owner homes are not regulated or influenced by any insurance company or agent. In other words, the seller can do whatever he or she wants. This includes everything from setting the price to the marketing plan. Many people love this flexibility.

3. Selling by owner means that you do not have to take advice from an agent. Although it is nice to have the help of a professional, sometimes an agent will do nothing more than get in the way.

To go along with the benefits of for sale by owner homes, you must also consider some of the negative impacts that this is sure to have on your life.

1. You are responsible for every last detail when you sell your home by owner. This means that you have to come up with a price, do your own market research, show the home on your own, and much more. The short and long of it is that when you sell by owner you have more work to do.

2. You may find out that buyers shy away from for sale by owner homes. They are under the impression that they will not get a fair shake if there is no agent involved. For this reason, you will have to work extra hard in order to attract traffic, and of course, eventually make a sale.

There is no denying that for sale by owner homes are becoming more common. Many sellers have found that the benefits of selling on their own outweigh any drawbacks that could rear their ugly head. Before you can decide on selling your home without an agent you need to consider the pros and cons from every imaginable angle.

Jessica Sterner recommends you visit comparefsbos.com for more information on for sale by owner homes.

In today’s financial climate, real estate continues to be a strong investment in many areas. Educated buyers will always make the most out of the real estate market. These top ten tips to buying real estate will help you enter into your next real estate transaction with confidence.

TIP #1: Hire the right Agent!

Hiring the right Real Estate Agent is invaluable. If you are unfamiliar with the area, the realtor you choose is your link to important information regarding schools, zoning, city and county regulations, neighborhood trends, building and remodeling and rental restrictions, and property values. Every city has different laws governing what can and can’t be done with a property. Sanibel is one of the most beautiful cities in the United States due in part to its strict building codes and city planning. Having experienced many aspects of real estate transactions on a personal level, I understand situations and concerns of my buyers and sellers. I have been an island property owner for many years and have walked through several local real estate transactions myself. From buying and selling lots to building new homes with local builders, to investing in rental income producing properties and utilizing 1031 Tax free exchanges, I don’t just sell island real estate; I invest in it because I believe there is no place in the world like Sanibel and Captiva. Whether you work with me or someone else, finding the right realtor is invaluable.

TIP #2: Utilize 1031 Tax Exchanges and Save Money!

1031 Tax Exchanges are tax free exchanges of investment property. Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code is one of the last great tax shelters. If you purchase an investment property of „like kind“ within 180 days of the sale of a similar type property, and you are willing to increase the amount of debt or value of the property, your capital gains taxes can be completely deferred. Having just completed a Reverse 1031 tax exchange myself, I believe in using this powerful tax shelter. Feel free to contact me if you are considering using a current Sanibel, Captiva, or Ft. Myers property in a 1031 Tax Exchange, or want to purchase an investment property that might qualify in the future for a 1031 Tax Exchange. A Reverse 1031 Tax Exchange is the same exchange concept as a 1031 Tax Exchange except you have purchased your replacement „like kind“ investment property first, before selling the property to be exchanged. Learn more about 1031 Tax Exchanges, and how to use them to your financial advantage. Keep in mind that a neutral party must have act a Qualified Intermediary. Real Estate may also be bought and sold through your self directed retirement account. Whether you utilize a traditional IRA, Roth IRA, SEP, or company plans such as 401 (k) plans, Keogh, or profit sharing plans, investigate your options.

TIP #3: Pre-qualify for Financing!

Pre-qualifying for a loan may not seem that important until you find your perfect paradise property at the same time as another buyer. When a property is priced to sell, it will usually attract more than one buyer. Once a seller receives an offer, the two most important things they consider are …the price, and the contingencies. For some sellers, a contract contingent on the buyer obtaining financing makes them uncomfortable with the offer. Eliminate any doubt in the mind of a seller, by pre-qualifying for the amount you may spend on the purchase of any property. This is especially important if your dream property suddenly has a price reduction. When this occurs other buyers might come into the picture, that didn’t look at that property before it went „On Sale“! Often times a seller will take a financially solid contract over a higher offer. Be ready to put a deal together!

TIP #4: Location, Location, Location!

„Location, location, location“, while overused as a real estate phrase, is still and always should be a huge consideration to you as the buyer! If something about the location of a property bothers you, be aware that the same location drawback will bother any buyer you hope to attract when and if you need to resell the property! It’s important to ask a lot of questions, but often times it is difficult to know the right questions to ask if you are unfamiliar with the community. This is why it is so valuable to choose and hire the right real estate agent to represent your interests when buying a property.

TIP #5: Get a Home Inspection!

Obtaining an inspection report performed by a licensed professional building inspector of your choice, can protect you from many defects that are hidden from view. Why gamble with such a large financial investment? Let a professional building inspector point out areas to be fixed or replaced that aren’t obvious. A good inspector will give you a lengthy report covering all systems in the home from electrical, to plumbing, to roof conditions, and structural concerns. Once you receive a report you may begin negotiations again concerning repairs. Often a seller will agree to make necessary repairs up to a specified financial amount. When a seller lists their property „as is“ they are letting you know that they are not willing to fix or replace any part of the property. If you are interested in an „as is“ property and aren’t going to level the structure and build new, it is still in your best interest to obtain an inspection report. Don’t rely on the building inspector to look for termites and other harmful pest problems. Although an inspector will see pest damage, it is best to have a separate termite inspection conducted by a licensed company that understands pests and can eliminate them.

TIP #6: Obtain a Survey and Title Insurance!

Surveys will show easements, encroachments, and boundary lines of a property. By surveying a home in an established neighborhood you are assured that the property boundary lines have been maintained. As homeowners add on the their properties over time with fences, sheds, docks, garages, and other structures, boundary lines can be crossed placing part of their structure on your property, or vice versa. Surveying vacant land is also important for same reasons as a home, plus a survey will help determine the size home, or amount of coverage the lot will allow.

Title Insurance will protect your investment from another party claiming ownership interest in your property. Title searches will uncover liens placed on a property by vendors, or mistakes in past transfers of the title. The last thing you want to discover when you’re in the back stretch of a transaction is that there are encumbrances on the property such as tax liens, undisclosed owners, easements, or leases. Should a claim arise after the purchase of a property, the title insurance company is there to protect your ownership interest in that property.

TIP #7: Be Realistic!

„Wants“ and „Needs“ are very different when is comes to real estate features. If every home you see has the upgrades you „want“ but exceeds the price range that you „need“…. be realistic. Who wouldn’t love a large, oceanfront, professionally decorated home or condominium, with all the bells and whistles? Looking at properties that exceed your price range is always fun, but it can be extremely frustrating and upsetting. Be realistic by looking at listings in the price range you „need“, keeping an eye out for that special property that has the potential to evolve into the dream home you „want“. Always look beyond the furnishings, wallpaper, and floor coverings to the architecture of the home; it is then that you will find properties with potential.

TIP #8: Use Contract Contingencies Wisely!

Contingencies in a contract for the purchase of a property are designed to protect you, the buyer! This may seem silly to mention but it’s important to remember that you need to work with the seller to come to an agreed upon contract. Valid contingencies to an offer are expected by the seller. Common contingencies include building inspections, termite and pest inspections, financing, and surveys. Many deals fall apart over small details, and easy to fix issues. Remember that sellers are emotional about their property. If you can see that major repairs or replacements need to be made due to neglect or age, make allowances for this in your offering price. The old adage „Everything is negotiable“ still holds true, unless you upset the seller so much that they refuse to work with you. Try to avoid listing cosmetic changes you would like the seller to make as contingencies. Cosmetic changes are subjective, be objective when writing a contract.

TIP #9: Understand Regional Health and Safety Issues!

An informed realtor will help you understand other health and safety issues that should be considered when purchasing a property. Safety and Health topics can include EIFS (Synthetic Stucco), indoor air quality, mold, radon, and lead paint. Many of these require the seller to sign a disclosure statement, while others may not apply due to the age, type of construction, or location of the property being purchased.

TIP #10: Ask for Information!

Don’t be shy. When you have hired a realtor to work for you, ask them for information. Do you want to look at all the properties in your price range, with the features you need, or just the houses a realtor wants you to see? You deserve all the information you need to make an educated decision. Can you imagine buying the home that you felt was good for your family, only to find that you never received information on a similar property that is perfect for all your needs? I provide many services to insure my buyers always have information at their fingertips.

When you decide to sell your home you should consider your options. The traditional method of using a real estate agent is the safe route but can be expensive. The for-sale-by-owner or FSBO method can save you thousands of dollars but might be more work than you expect. Let’s look at the two methods in detail so that you can make an informed decision

Using a real estate agent is the easiest method because you have someone who is trained to sell your home for you. A real estate agent can guide you through each step of the selling process. Your involvement is at a minimal when a real estate agent is in charge. There are several big advantages to using a real estate agent when selling your home.

Real estate agents can market your home using the Multiple Listing Service or MLS. This service allows agents to market your home to other agents and on the internet. Only real estate brokers may list a home on the MLS service. This service is one of the best ways to market your home. When an agent is trying to find a home for a buyer they will use the MLS to look for potential homes. There are thousands of websites that use the MLS listings for content. This means that when you home is listed on the MLS it will be listed on hundreds of websites. Being able to list your home on the MLS is one of the greatest advantages of listing your home with a real estate agent.

Real estate agents will show your home for you. You won’t have to be at home for others to see it. Your agent will take care of showing your home and arranging for other agents to show your home. This is a great time saver. Imagine a hot buyer wanting to see your home in the middle of the day while you are at work. Do you want to have to leave work every time someone wants to see your home?

One of the biggest advantages of using a real estate agent is that they will negotiate for you and handle the paperwork. Selling your home by yourself can be tricky if you don’t understand real estate contracts. You don’t want to lose thousands of dollars or the sale because you don’t understand the contract. Real estate agents can help you get to the closing table.

Selling a home via FSBO has its obvious advantages. Selling your home with a real estate agent will cost several thousand dollars. If you are lucky enough to sell your home FSBO then you will save thousands of dollars. The downside of selling FSBO is that it takes a lot of work. You will have to show your home when someone wants to see it. You will need to be able to negotiate the contract and get everyone to the closing table. You will also need good marketing skills. Selling FSBO is difficult and seldom works.

I would suggest you consider using both methods. You can get the benefits of both methods by using a flat flee service. These services take a flat fee, usually around $500 to sell your home. This method allows you to list on the MLS, use an agent to negotiate the contract, and save a few thousand dollars. This method uses a real estate broker to list your home and do the paper work. If an agent brings a buyer you will have to pay 2 or 3 percent commission but if you sell it yourself then you save the commission.

Take a look at your options before selling your home. Consider the advantages of each and pick the one you are most comfortable with.

The answer to this question is: it depends on which unclaimed property you are recovering. Some funds are great to work; others can be difficult for a number of reasons, and offer little in the way of profit to the money finder.

The more difficult funds to work are just about any funds held by the state (in the Unclaimed Funds Division/Department). These funds are generally things like forgotten bank account, uncashed refund checks, unpaid stock dividends, etc. They are generally for small amounts (under $1000). They are regulated by state law, which limits finder’s fee caps at 5-15%, and worst of all, they are very public. Most states have a website where anyone can type in their name and see if the state is holding any funds for them.

While this makes it easy for you to find funds, it also is easy for your competition to find them. Worse yet, when you alert the owner to the fact that they have missing money, all they have to do is go to that website and find out where it is for themselves – and pay you nothing. Obviously, to be profitable, you have to find a way to be able to keep your sources secret.

Forget those funds. The best funds for an unclaimed property recovery specialist to work are real estate created overages. These are funds arising from tax sale, and sheriff’s sale, as well as from some probate cases. They aren’t held at the state level, and so through this legal loophole you can charge 30-50%. And these are big funds. $10,000, $50,000 – even more, sometimes. You do the math.

These funds urgently need to be worked, because unlike most state funds, real estate overages escheat – that is, if no one claims them, after a short period of time, the government gets to keep them. So not only do you get the benefit of a nice income for yourself, but you get to save these owners – most of whom sorely need the money – from losing money they never even knew they had in the first place.

With more and more foreclosures happening monthly, there’s never been a more profitable time to become a unclaimed property recovery specialist. The government is holding literally billions of dollars in funds that will be lost permanently without the intervention of a money finder.