All Forum Posts by: Raquel Baranow

it's easy to get land through tax certs, i got many lots that way and missed making a lot of $$$ by not selling at the peak of the boom

Doubt it's much different in Florida than AZ but a friend did it. First she found a nice tenant that asked to do Section 8. Your apartment/house has to pass an inspection and I'm pretty sure utilities have to be included in the rent. There is a maximum amount of rent you can charge. When the tenant moves out, you are not obligated to keep it as Section 8. Looks like you might learn more in the "related discussions."

I like the show, they're in Phoenix AZ, 125-miles away.

Thing I don't understand is, there certainly are other bidders at the courthouse who previously must-have checked out the houses, why is it always one of the "Warriors" gets the house and they never show someone who is not a Warrior present or bidding at the courthouse.

I used to watch the bidding locally and got to know several of the guys . . . they told me: "the best deals are made before it gets to the courthouse."

Had piece of junk property that i thought i'd never sell (paid less than $500 for it): state of arizona bought it from me for $18k to create new alignment for Interstate 10 running through Picacho AZ.

I agree with John, I like Home depot's Behr paint colors. Don't buy OLD paint, latex paint that is old is no good. Do a good job priming, scraping where necessary, pick a nice glossy paint for the trim.

Fixup house I own and am renting near downtown.

Interior

Most of the long-time sellers I've seen on Ebay give Warranty Deeds. They also use Land Contracts (Contracts for Deed) but I think Rent to Own Option would be better. I offered to use escrow & title search through title company at buyer's expense -- $800

If you were selling lots/land on ebay, would you use a Contract for Deed or Rent to Own Option?

Funny you ask, for the first time ever, I advertised one of my junk properties there:

I had some best offers that I rejected. Most if not all the properties I've seen listed on ebay are "junk" but my lots are a little better.

Most of the sales are contract for deeds . . . I think I could sell mine if I offered that and was going to ask a question about it. I also thought it would be easier giving the winning bidder a Rent to Own Option. I plan to rerun the ad with opening bid of $3000 and allow people to make a "Best Offer" as to how much their monthly payment will be with $100 minimum.

Emma: Sounds exciting and looks like a good find. One of my friends is in the same kind of situation as you and is a British citizen, we have looked at properties in UK but we are very fearful of the property taxes . . . do you have any idea how much the property (Council) taxes are? Is this it? Rateable Value: £8,750. If so, that would be a deal-breaker.

I specialize in vacant lots in Pima & Pinal Counties, AZ, I first look at the FCV and asking prices on Zillow or the MLS. Of course, location is everything. FCVs differ from County to County. In one County, the FCV is close to the market value, in the other, it is much less than market value. Now, in AZ land is flat . . . you can get a dumpy house or mobile home with land for the price I used to sell dirt for.