Читать книгу Foreclosure Investing For Dummies - Ralph R. Roberts - Страница 43

I once purchased a property at a sheriff sale and did everything I could to contact the homeowner. I even tried to drop in for a personal visit, but she slammed the door in my face as though she knew who I was and had been expecting me.

Later, I discovered that a con artist named Brian had gotten to her during the redemption period. He established some sort of emotional connection with the homeowner, took her to the county building to pick up the overbid (the money I paid for the property at auction in excess of what was owed on it), and convinced her that he could save her house for her.

Brian bought her a vacuum cleaner and a few groceries in exchange for her signature on a quitclaim deed — a document signing away her rights to the property. He videotaped her making statements that he thought would protect him legally.

With quitclaim deed in hand, Brian redeemed the property, and I got my money back. Then he sold the property to an investor named Ray. Ray came to my office. Without knowing what had transpired, I bought the property and sold it to another investor. When that investor showed up at the homeowner’s house to work out a rental agreement with her, he learned about the con job and wanted nothing to do with the property.

Eventually, the matter wound up in court. I bought the property back from the other investor and gave the homeowner some money so that she could move to a more-affordable home. While in court, I got a $100,000 judgment against Brian. Last I heard, Brian was scheduled for a creditors’ hearing.

Never take advantage of homeowners for your own benefit. After all, this property is their home, and any equity they have in that home is theirs. Commit to becoming a champion of the homeowners. If you can help them and earn some compensation for your assistance, everybody wins. Quick money never lasts. By acting with integrity and in the best interest of the homeowners, you provide a much-needed service to a suffering portion of your community.