Checklist for buying an investment property ?

Most Popular Reply

Costin I.
Rental Property Investor · Round Rock, TX · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 971 votes
3y

@Jacob Krafka - are you asking for a checklist for buying an investment property, a due-diligence checklist, or an inspection checklist? 

Here is one for the steps involved in buying an investment property:

[ let me know if you think anything's missing ... or you want the other ones ;>) ]

Offer Acceptance

  1. Schedule inspection
  2. Attend inspection and fill out the repair list
  3. Send earnest money check to escrow company
  4. Send option money check to escrow company

Option Period

  1. Send earnest money check to escrow company
  2. Send option money check to escrow company
  3. Schedule inspection (regular and termite)
  4. Attend inspection and fill out the repair list
  5. Is foundation inspection needed? Schedule foundation inspection, if needed
  6. Attend foundation inspection, if needed
  7. Check public records for any liens against property and/or owner
  8. Check owner on social websites
  9. Check public records for any liens against tenant (once application is received)
  10. Check tenant on social websites (once application is received)
  11. "Receive and carefully review the following documents:
    • the tenant's application
    • a copy of the current lease - How well does it align with yours and when does it expire? Is the tenant a relative of the seller? Contact tenant and verify lease and condition form.
    • a copy of the inventory condition form
    • the tenant's payment history (deposit slips, etc.) records
    • a copy of the picture ID of each tenant and person over 18y.o. living in the house"
  12. Get clarification on the house inventory - see email for full list

Purchase Closing

  1. If you are satisfied with the results of the inspection, REAwill notify your lender and tell them to order your appraisal if he/she has not done so already.
  2. It usually takes 3-5 days from the date your lender orders the appraisal for the appraiser to schedule and conduct the appraisal.
  3. The appraisal takes 3-10 days for the results to be returned to the Lender and for us to know the number.
  4. During this time your lender should have all of the required documents. It’s best to check in with your lender to confirm he/she has everything they need.
  5. Ask title to add home warranty. (Research z-groups for best one)
  6. Advise title of security deposit and pro-rated rent transfer
  7. Contact tenant and verify lease and condition form + inform them that after close date to make checks to you from now on
  8. "You should call a local insurance company to get homeowners insurance quotes at this time. It's best you email your insurance agent a copy of the MLS Listing of the home you are purchasing.
    • Add Property Insurance
    • Add to Umbrella policy insurance"
  9. When you’re about 5 days away from closing you should call the utility companies and ask to “Transfer Utilities” for the date of your closing. You may not be able to transfer / turn on water until after you have closed on your home.
  10. You should do a “Final Walk Through” of the property you are purchasing within 24 hours before closing to confirm the property is in the same condition that it was in when you agreed to purchase the property and that all inspection required repairs have been completed.
  11. On the day of closing, all signers will need to bring their driver’s license or Passport and a Cashiers Check in the amount you are required to bring to closing. Your lender will be the one to give you the amount you will need to bring to closing. The Cashiers Check should be made out to the closing attorney. This is very important.
  12. If your name is on the purchase agreement, you will need to be present at the closing or have signed a power of attorney for someone to sign on your behalf. If you are doing a power of attorney, you will need to notify our Client Care Coordinator and your lender at least seven days prior to closing.
  13. The day before closing or sometime the day of closing, you should communicate with your lender because they will need to tell you exactly how much you money need to bring to closing. Don’t be alarmed or upset if you receive this number the day of closing or even an hour or two before closing. This is very common. For whatever reason, the banks often wait until the last minute to get their paperwork to the closing attorney and to their gather final numbers. It’s not your lenders fault; there is a lot of coordination in the final hours between Closing Attorney and lender preparing all of the documentation and Closing Disclosure Statement.
  14. Closings are typically done Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 P.M. The closing should around 1 hour depending on if everyone is on time and whether or not the loan funds right away. We recommend that you plan at least a 3 hour window for closing in case there are any unforeseen delays. If this is a late closing say 3:00 or later, there is a very good chance it will not fund until the next day. If this happens you may NOT get keys at that time and will have to wait until the loan funds and the Closing Attorney receives the funds.

What to check the day before closing

  1. Call the closing agent to confirm the date and location of the closing
  2. Request a preliminary or final closing statement if there is one
  3. Review closing figures for any mistakes
  4. Confirm insurance, deeds, trust deeds, and mortgage documents are correct
  5. You should do a “Final Walk Through” of the property you are purchasing within 24 hours before closing to confirm the property is in the same condition that it was in when you agreed to purchase the property and that all inspection required repairs have been completed.

After Closing

  1. Check property insurance (check policy documents, billing and auto-pay
  2. Confirm addition to Umbrella policy insurance
  3. Check on Title Registration, Taxes, Insurance and Home Warranty - 30 days after closing
  4. If leasing, then set up a "Landlord" account which defaults to you to avoid hooking up utilities fees between tenants
  5. Inform tenants to make checks to you from now on
3Reply
See this reply in the discussion

4 Replies

Jump to latestLatest
  • Jason WrayPro Member
    Banker · Nationwide · Member since 2020 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    3y

    Jacob,

    When you refer to "checklist" do you mean financing or all steps in general. In case you meant from start to finish I would say get your Pre-Approval up front for the mortgage. Consider looking at both Portfolio Program from an FDIC bank as well as DSCR.

    [email protected]727-637-4289
    0Reply
  • Eliott Elias
    Investor · Austin, TX · Member since 2021 · 9k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    3y

    Foundation, electric, HVAC, roof, plumbing. Need to see condition of all these

    1Reply
  • Nate Sanow
    I​nvestor & Agent · Tulsa, OK · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    3y

    1. Does the deal make sense? 
    2. is this price below my max offer? 
    3. is now the right time for me to pull a triggers? 
    4. of the major ticket items do I need to replace all or some. Roof, hvac, foundation / structural, and major electrical components like panel and wiring (not simply fixtures). If it’s all or more than 1/2, my bid is higher and my offer is lower. 

    1Reply
  • Costin I.
    Rental Property Investor · Round Rock, TX · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 971 votes
    3y

    @Jacob Krafka - are you asking for a checklist for buying an investment property, a due-diligence checklist, or an inspection checklist? 

    Here is one for the steps involved in buying an investment property:

    [ let me know if you think anything's missing ... or you want the other ones ;>) ]

    Offer Acceptance

    1. Schedule inspection
    2. Attend inspection and fill out the repair list
    3. Send earnest money check to escrow company
    4. Send option money check to escrow company

    Option Period

    1. Send earnest money check to escrow company
    2. Send option money check to escrow company
    3. Schedule inspection (regular and termite)
    4. Attend inspection and fill out the repair list
    5. Is foundation inspection needed? Schedule foundation inspection, if needed
    6. Attend foundation inspection, if needed
    7. Check public records for any liens against property and/or owner
    8. Check owner on social websites
    9. Check public records for any liens against tenant (once application is received)
    10. Check tenant on social websites (once application is received)
    11. "Receive and carefully review the following documents:
      • the tenant's application
      • a copy of the current lease - How well does it align with yours and when does it expire? Is the tenant a relative of the seller? Contact tenant and verify lease and condition form.
      • a copy of the inventory condition form
      • the tenant's payment history (deposit slips, etc.) records
      • a copy of the picture ID of each tenant and person over 18y.o. living in the house"
    12. Get clarification on the house inventory - see email for full list

    Purchase Closing

    1. If you are satisfied with the results of the inspection, REAwill notify your lender and tell them to order your appraisal if he/she has not done so already.
    2. It usually takes 3-5 days from the date your lender orders the appraisal for the appraiser to schedule and conduct the appraisal.
    3. The appraisal takes 3-10 days for the results to be returned to the Lender and for us to know the number.
    4. During this time your lender should have all of the required documents. It’s best to check in with your lender to confirm he/she has everything they need.
    5. Ask title to add home warranty. (Research z-groups for best one)
    6. Advise title of security deposit and pro-rated rent transfer
    7. Contact tenant and verify lease and condition form + inform them that after close date to make checks to you from now on
    8. "You should call a local insurance company to get homeowners insurance quotes at this time. It's best you email your insurance agent a copy of the MLS Listing of the home you are purchasing.
      • Add Property Insurance
      • Add to Umbrella policy insurance"
    9. When you’re about 5 days away from closing you should call the utility companies and ask to “Transfer Utilities” for the date of your closing. You may not be able to transfer / turn on water until after you have closed on your home.
    10. You should do a “Final Walk Through” of the property you are purchasing within 24 hours before closing to confirm the property is in the same condition that it was in when you agreed to purchase the property and that all inspection required repairs have been completed.
    11. On the day of closing, all signers will need to bring their driver’s license or Passport and a Cashiers Check in the amount you are required to bring to closing. Your lender will be the one to give you the amount you will need to bring to closing. The Cashiers Check should be made out to the closing attorney. This is very important.
    12. If your name is on the purchase agreement, you will need to be present at the closing or have signed a power of attorney for someone to sign on your behalf. If you are doing a power of attorney, you will need to notify our Client Care Coordinator and your lender at least seven days prior to closing.
    13. The day before closing or sometime the day of closing, you should communicate with your lender because they will need to tell you exactly how much you money need to bring to closing. Don’t be alarmed or upset if you receive this number the day of closing or even an hour or two before closing. This is very common. For whatever reason, the banks often wait until the last minute to get their paperwork to the closing attorney and to their gather final numbers. It’s not your lenders fault; there is a lot of coordination in the final hours between Closing Attorney and lender preparing all of the documentation and Closing Disclosure Statement.
    14. Closings are typically done Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 P.M. The closing should around 1 hour depending on if everyone is on time and whether or not the loan funds right away. We recommend that you plan at least a 3 hour window for closing in case there are any unforeseen delays. If this is a late closing say 3:00 or later, there is a very good chance it will not fund until the next day. If this happens you may NOT get keys at that time and will have to wait until the loan funds and the Closing Attorney receives the funds.

    What to check the day before closing

    1. Call the closing agent to confirm the date and location of the closing
    2. Request a preliminary or final closing statement if there is one
    3. Review closing figures for any mistakes
    4. Confirm insurance, deeds, trust deeds, and mortgage documents are correct
    5. You should do a “Final Walk Through” of the property you are purchasing within 24 hours before closing to confirm the property is in the same condition that it was in when you agreed to purchase the property and that all inspection required repairs have been completed.

    After Closing

    1. Check property insurance (check policy documents, billing and auto-pay
    2. Confirm addition to Umbrella policy insurance
    3. Check on Title Registration, Taxes, Insurance and Home Warranty - 30 days after closing
    4. If leasing, then set up a "Landlord" account which defaults to you to avoid hooking up utilities fees between tenants
    5. Inform tenants to make checks to you from now on
    3Reply
Join the conversationCreate a free account to reply, vote on answers and follow this thread.
Log InJoin for Free