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Homes For SaleMuch of the REO inventory has been vacant for a long period of time and need repairs making great fixer upper deals abundant. Most foreclosure auctions do not result in bids because, if there was enough equity in the property to satisfy the loan, the owner would have probably sold the property and paid off the bank. An REO can be financed through a number of methods including cash, hard money, conventional and FHA. This is the optimum time to learn about REO's and cash flow as there will be a large transfer of properties needed to liquidate the bank owned inventory. Many novice investors make offers that get accepted by the bank but they rescind their offer when they realize that they did not do enough homework on the property and major repairs are needed. Many REO investors rely on the opinions of inexperienced buyers agents to formulate their offers. These agents are often desperate to make a sale and do not understand market value or cash flow analysis. A copy of a check for one thousand dollars is usually submitted as a deposit with most REO offers. The offer typically states that the check will be placed into escrow within 48 hours of acceptance. Some REO listing agents are able to convince the bank to put out some money for repairs so they can sell the property for the maximum amount. When creating an REO buying team it is important to have some type of contractor resources to assist with estimating repair costs. There are different formulas to determine wholesale, retail and rental REO deals. It is important to have clarity before buying in this unstable market. Usually, when you buy a home, you deal with a seller who lives in the home. Fannie Mae has acquired their properties through foreclosure, deed in lieu of foreclosure, or forfeiture. Fannie Mae will not accept REO offers contingent on the sale of your current home. Other types of contingencies will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Buyer's agent have a fiduciary responsibility to protect your interests in an REO purchase. An REO property has been foreclosed by the lending institution, and has reverted to their ownership. This is not how the bank wants foreclosures to end. In most cases, the market value of the home simply does not cover the loan balance, repair costs, and other fees associated with foreclosure and sale. Buying REO Homes or REO Properties are an excellent opportunity for a beginner real estate investor or buyer. The bank will not do or pay for any repairs on REO's in many cases. You will be buying the REO property as is. Make sure your offer includes an inspection contingency that allows you to withdraw if the inspections reveal significant problems. Many REO experts are involved in wholesaling their REO homes. They will pass along a deal they found in as is condition to another buyer for a nominal fee. REO: this is an acronym for Real Estate Owned, and this used to be called the bank department that managed the properties the bank had reacquired through a foreclosure process. The process starts with the notice of default filed and, in California, ends with a trustee's sale back to the lender (if no one else buys the property on the county courthouse steps). What are the benefits of buying an REO property that has been foreclosed on and what are the reasons they failed to find a buyer? The bank wants to sell the property for cash to invest in other ways. A bank will be looking for a quick sale, and as such may offer benefits and incentives to the prospective buyers. Savings of 20% to 30% off the fair market value are absolutely possible, making an REO purchase the best way to buy a property for the first time home buyer or property investor. |
