Is real estate investing in the california market worth the time and effort?

Answer 1

Depends on your strategy but it certainly can be. As interest rates rise so do foreclosures. Too many homeowners ignorantly refinanced into ARMs and borrowed to the max. Unfortunately too many people still live paycheck to paycheck. So as the interest rates rise so do the payments and they suddenly can't make the monthly payments. Soon they find themselves in foreclsoure. Banks are inundated with foreclosures and under the right circumstances are willing to negotiate the debt in what's called a "short sale" where they'll accept less than what's owed on the loan as payment in full. some of these short sales can be very lucrative. but it's not easy and you have to know what you're doing. Here are two websites of interest:

http://www.how2investinrealestate.com

http://www.renegaderealestate.com

Answer 2

Depending on your investing strategy. I do short term investing and I'm coming across a lot of short sale opportunities. It's great to help out people and get paid to do so.

Regards

Answer 3

Keep in mind...........

Times and markets are changing!

In California with average homes selling well over $500,000, a 20% decline is $100,000! In any market 'timing is everything'! So, could you afford a loss of 25% of your investment all because of poor timing???

This last up cycle was 10 years in many parts of the country. The downcycle now started in CA, Wash DC, NYC, Vegas and other hot areas of the past are all soft and getting softer.

From 1990 to 1996, the average home in San Diego lost 20% of its' value! The cycle we are now enterng looks like it could well exceed that on the downside!

With all the 100% financing, interest only loans, EZ qualifing etc...even a slight decline will cause many to be unable to sell for the amount due on their loans!

For some great 'insider' articles on the San Diego real estate market, which I believe will apply to any of the hot real estate markets of the past five years.....visit:

Times and markets are changing!

In California with average homes selling well over $500,000, a 20% decline is $100,000! In any market 'timing is everything'! So, could you afford a loss of 25% of your investment all because of poor timing???

This last up cycle was 10 years in many parts of the country. The downcycle now started in CA, Wash DC, NYC, Vegas and other hot areas of the past are all soft and getting softer.

From 1990 to 1996, the average home in San Diego lost 20% of its' value! The cycle we are now enterng looks like it could well exceed that on the downside!

With all the 100% financing, interest only loans, EZ qualifing etc...even a slight decline will cause many to be unable to sell for the amount due on their loans!

For some great 'insider' articles on the San Diego real estate market, which I believe will apply to any of the hot real estate markets of the past five years.....visit:

http://www.brokerforyou.com/brokerforyou
http://www.downtown-san-diego-real-estate.com/san-diego-real-estate-article-index.htm
http://www.brokerforyou.com
http://www.san-diego-for-sale-by-owner.com
http://www.la-jolla-ca-del-mar-san-diego-real-estate-encinitas-california.us
http://www.brokerforyou.com/blogger/index.html
http://san-diego-coastal-real-estate.blogspot.com
http://sandiegofsbo.blogspot.com
http://downtown-san-diego-real-estate-views.blogspot.com
http://san-diego-coastal-real-estate.blogspot.com
http://sandiegofsbo.blogspot.com
http://downtown-san-diego-real-estate-views.blogspot.com
http://www.brokerforyou.com/san-diego-real-estate-sales.html
http://www.poway-real-estate.info
http://www.del-mar-real-estate.info
http://www.la-jolla-real-estate.info
http://www.los-angeles-real-estate-brokers.com
http://www.san-jose-real-estate-brokers.com
http://www.orange-county-real-estate-brokers.com
http://www.san-francisco-real-estate-brokers.com
http://www.sacramento-real-estate-broker.com