Tom Lipinski

Hello Courtney,

The number concern is to not over pay for the home. Are you buying to live in the home? If so, how long do you estimate living in the home? Are you buying as an investment, rental income or flip? You will want to take into consideration the cost, if any, to bring the home into excellent condition. Be aware of the area, is it appreciating or depreciating. Depending on your experience and access to resources you may or may not want/need a professional real estate agent to represent you. This is all about making good choices so if you do not have the skill to make them bring a expert into the picture.

Best wishes,

Tom Lipinski - Wed Oct 29 2008, 07:32

Hello Rodrigo,

As long as you are 18 years old and have cash, or can borrow the purchase money, you can buy a home.

Best wishes,

Tom Lipinski - Thu Oct 23 2008, 21:35

Hi Dana,

Michaelson, Connor, and Boul is the attorney that handles most HUD homes (Foreclosed FHA mortgaged properties) in Michigan. They are always seeking quality conscious, responsive sub-contractors to provide various field and preservation and protection services. Here is the URL to the contractor page on their web site:

http://mcbreo.com/contractors.htm

You could also contact local lenders and ask to speak to their Asset Manager(s). The Asset Manager is responsible for the clean out/up of foreclosed homes.

Best wishes,

Tom Lipinski
586-246-6606 - Wed Sep 24 2008, 07:16

It is not difficult to get rid of someone, you just need a good attorney to handle the red tape. I know an attorney that handles evictions in Detroit for $100. He is very busy as you can imagine.

Check the link below to review the Michigan Landlord and Tenant Guide. - Wed Sep 17 2008, 08:36

Hi Teresa,

It is the wild wild west out there. I agree that it is frustrating. It is for the brokers and agents as well. For example, I have a vacant home near Moross and Gratiot for sale and a squater (woman and a child) just moved in. She changed all of the locks. Now no one can get in and many are afraid to even try to get in. If I change the locks back she will just do the same herself.

I have two other properties where the bank decided to not foreclose and charge off the debt like a bad credit card. It was cheaper to let the owner have the house than to foreclose and pay taxes, delinquent water and an attorney. The problem is the bank will not cooperate and give us a mortgage discharge or release of lien. So with out clear title we cannot close. The time and effort it would take to clean up this mess is not worth the commission. This is something the Michigan Attorney General needs to look into.

So the bottom line for me is it is a waste of time and money. The bottom line for the buyer is skip those houses and look elsewhere. A good Buyer's Agent will know where the good deals are and in areas where the monkey business like hiding keys will not happen as much. I wish I had a better answer. I feel your pain. - Fri Sep 12 2008, 09:04