Foreclosure and Trust Deed Investing: What You Need to Know

Investing in trust deeds is generally considered to be a fairly safe investment strategy. Like any investment, there are risks, and knowing how to protect yourself and your money is a crucial step in having a successful investment.

Investing in deeds of trust is a great way to earn high, fixed interest without having to do much work.  is a specific type of real estate investment where the investor invests money as a third party in the mortgage process. The bank or lender loans money to the borrower, the borrower repays the money to the bank and the property is secured by a Deed of Trust.  The Deed of Trust gives the Trustee (a third party) the ability to sell the property if the borrower defaults.  As an investor you can purchase the Deed of Trust from the lender and then you become the bank and receive the payments.   Interest rates a generally higher than most other investments at anywhere from 9 to 12 percent. Deeds of trust are a fixed investment so you earn that interest rate over the length of your investment.

Investing in deeds of trust

Now that you know the benefits of investing in trust deeds, you are probably wondering how exactly

it works and what your role as the investor is. As the investor, you invest money to hold the legal deed to the property as was discussed previously. You do not live at the property nor do you have to maintain it, the borrower does this and he/she holds the equitable title to the property. If the borrower makes payments on time, all the lender has to do is earn interest from for the length of the investment term. Investment terms can cover anything from a few months to several years. Interest is fixed and paid monthly as additional, relatively stable source of extra income.

However, as with any investment there is some risk associated with trust deed investing. The greatest risk is that the borrower will stop making monthly payments. If this happens, you as the trust deed holder, will begin to initiate the process of foreclosure on the property. The trustee has the power to sell the property for the lender. If the property is sold for a loss, the trustee will lose his/her initial investment.

Protecting Your Money during Trust Deed Investing

Although it is rare, defaults do happen and it is important to take every step necessary to secure your initial investment. One of the best rules of thumb is to never invest in a trust deed on a property you would not want to own. This does not mean that you want to live there, but that you could see the benefits of owning it as a rental, or it is in a desirable location, or has some other feature that gives it extra value. You also need to work with a good team that involves an appraiser. An accurate appraisal on a property helps make sure that it can be sold for the value of the loan, should a foreclosure situation arise. As long as the lender can recover its funds, anything left over will pay back your investment before transferring to the borrower.

Another key to protecting your money is to make sure that the property is always covered by a comprehensive hazard insurance policy. Fires, floods, and other natural and man—made disasters happen. If the home is destroyed, and insurance policy will help pay back both the lender and trustee. Make sure that the hazard insurance is current and sufficient on any properties that you are investing in trust deeds for.

Finally, you can help protect your money by always holding the first deed of trust on a property. Some lenders sell additional shares of trusts in the form of second or even third trust deeds. Basically what this does is put you in a line to be paid back in the event of default. The first trust deed holder is always the first to be paid back their investment if the loan defaults. Second and third trust holders often never recoup their funds.

Finding the right broker can make all the difference in trust deed investing.

Make sure that you are using a broker or firm that knows the ins and outs of trust deed investing. Ask about the team of Realtor, appraisers, home inspectors, and other professionals they work with to secure you investment. Also, make sure that they know you are only interested in being the first deed holder on any trust deed investments. Do your research about applicable laws and special circumstances to help protect your money.

Level 4 Funding LLC

23335 N 18^th Drive Suite 120

Phoenix AZ 85027

623-582-4444

www.Level4Funding.com