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Intermediate terms

Essential Distressed Asset Terms

This curated collection includes key terms that might be helpful when exploring investing in distressed assets. It covers the lifecycle of properties in financial trouble, from pre-foreclosure to bank-owned status. These terms were selected based on common questions and areas where investors often need clarity.

Learning Path

1

Sheriff's Sale

A sheriff's sale is a public auction of property, typically real estate, conducted by a sheriff's department to satisfy a court judgment, such as a mortgage foreclosure or unpaid taxes.

Intermediate12-15 min
2

Foreclosure Process

The foreclosure process is the legal procedure by which a lender repossesses a property from a borrower who has defaulted on their mortgage, typically leading to a public sale to recover the outstanding debt.

Intermediate13-16 min
3

Title Insurance

Title insurance protects real estate owners and lenders against financial loss from defects in a property's title, ensuring clear ownership and safeguarding against past claims.

Intermediate13-14 min
4

Direct Negotiation

Direct negotiation in real estate involves buyers and sellers dealing directly with each other, bypassing agents to agree on terms, often for off-market or distressed properties.

Intermediate12-15 min
5

Redemption Period

A legally defined timeframe after a foreclosure sale during which the original homeowner can reclaim their property by paying the full outstanding debt, plus costs and interest.

Intermediate13-16 min
6

Due Diligence

Due diligence is the critical process of investigating and verifying all material facts about a property and its financials before a real estate acquisition, aiming to identify risks and ensure an informed investment decision.

Intermediate14-15 min
7

Foreclosure

Foreclosure is the legal process by which a lender takes possession of a property when the borrower fails to make mortgage payments, leading to the sale of the property to recover the outstanding debt.

Beginner12-15 min
8

Pre-Foreclosure

A period after a homeowner defaults on their mortgage but before the property is officially repossessed by the lender, offering a critical window for resolution or investment opportunities.

Intermediate15-18 min
9

Foreclosure Auction

A foreclosure auction is a public sale where properties are sold to the highest bidder to satisfy a mortgage debt in default. These auctions offer opportunities for investors to acquire properties, often below market value, but come with significant risks and require extensive due diligence.

Intermediate13-16 min
10

Encumbrance

A claim or liability against a real estate property that affects its title and may diminish its value or restrict its use, but does not prevent its transfer.

Intermediate11-12 min
11

After Repair Value

After Repair Value (ARV) is the estimated market value of a property after all planned renovations and improvements have been completed, crucial for assessing investment profitability.

Intermediate15-18 min
12

Hard Money Loan

A hard money loan is a short-term, asset-backed real estate loan from private lenders, primarily based on the property's value rather than the borrower's credit, used for quick acquisitions or rehab projects.

Intermediate13-14 min
13

Deed-in-Lieu of Foreclosure

A Deed-in-Lieu of Foreclosure is a voluntary agreement where a homeowner transfers property ownership to their mortgage lender to satisfy a mortgage debt and avoid the formal foreclosure process.

Intermediate18-20 min
14

Rehabbing

Rehabbing is a real estate investment strategy focused on purchasing distressed properties, renovating them to increase value, and then selling or renting for a profit. It requires careful planning, budgeting, and execution to maximize returns.

Intermediate13-16 min
15

Lis Pendens

Lis Pendens is a recorded legal notice indicating that a lawsuit has been filed concerning the title to or possession of specific real property, warning that any subsequent interest in the property will be subject to the outcome of the litigation.

Intermediate12-15 min
16

Trustee's Sale

A Trustee's Sale is a public auction of a property to satisfy a defaulted debt, conducted by a trustee under a deed of trust without court intervention, common in non-judicial foreclosure states.

Intermediate13 min
17

Post-Foreclosure Stage

The Post-Foreclosure Stage is the period after a property has been legally repossessed by a lender and becomes a Real Estate Owned (REO) asset, often presenting investment opportunities for buyers.

Intermediate13-16 min
18

Real Estate Auction

A public sale of real property where buyers bid competitively, often resulting in a quick, transparent transaction with specific terms and conditions.

Intermediate14-15 min
19

Private Money Loan

A private money loan is a non-bank loan provided by individuals or private companies, secured by real estate, offering flexible terms and fast funding for real estate investors.

Intermediate12-13 min
20

Title Search

A title search is a comprehensive examination of public records to confirm a property's legal ownership and identify any claims, liens, or encumbrances against it, ensuring a clear title for real estate transactions.

Intermediate11-12 min
21

Cash for Keys

Cash for Keys is a voluntary agreement where a landlord offers a tenant money to vacate a property quickly and amicably, often used to avoid the costly and lengthy formal eviction process.

Intermediate13 min
22

Short Sale

A real estate transaction where the lender agrees to accept a mortgage payoff amount less than what is owed, typically to avoid foreclosure and mitigate losses.

Intermediate13-14 min
23

Lien

A lien is a legal claim or right against a property, granted to a creditor, which serves as security for a debt or obligation until it is satisfied.

Intermediate18-20 min
24

Deficiency Judgment

A deficiency judgment is a court order holding a borrower personally responsible for the remaining balance on a loan after the collateral, such as real estate, sells for less than the outstanding debt, typically following a foreclosure or short sale.

Intermediate12-13 min
25

Real Estate Owned

Real Estate Owned (REO) refers to properties that have been repossessed by a lender, typically a bank, after an unsuccessful foreclosure auction. These properties are then managed and sold by the lender to recover the outstanding loan balance.

Intermediate13-14 min