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How To Buy an REO - Call (888) 319-3789If you are the successful bidder on a property at an auction, you receive the property in as is condition, which may include someone still living in the property or other liens against the property. FHA regulations concerning the condition of a property have changed dramatically over the past three years making it easier for investors to obtain financing on an REO. Although speculative investing is blamed for many of the current economic problems, knowlegeable investors will ultimately end up being a large part of the the solution and help liquidate the bank owned inventory. It is best to eliminate most contingencies on offers made on REO purchases. Many novice investors do not consider the quality of the area they are buying in because they are fixated on buying the cheapest house they can find. If other buyers ask for 17 days on an REO, for example, to conduct inspections, and you ask for 10, you will be deemed the more serious buyer. Many REO homes get broken into and as a result need their windows replaced. This is a huge problem for the banks and accelerates the need to liquidate. Many vacant REOs are subject to code enforcement citations by the local municipality creating an even larger potential liability for the bank that owns the property. As a short-term real estate investor, you need a very easy-to-use tool that will quickly calculate cash flow, profit, a budget, and the investment return for a potential flip. Even if an REO has fresh paint, brand new carpet, new appliances, perhaps even a new roof or siding, it doesn't mean everything in the house is new, or even works. If an REO buyer has a Federal Tax Lien that is in a repayment agreement, you do not have to pay it off in full but you must be able to qualify with the monthly payment of the repayment agreement. State Tax Liens typically must be paid in full prior to closing your FHA loan on an REO. Buyer's agent have a fiduciary responsibility to protect your interests in an REO purchase. A proof of funds letter is frequently used in property short sale and REO purchases to provide explanation that a real estate investor or buyer has the ability to purchase the property they are making an offer on. HUD does not warrant the condition of its REO properties, but will give you the information it has about the condition of the property you’re interested in. You can use this information in formulating your bid. In their efforts to create a bidding frenzy, many REO agents will claim that they have 10, 15, 20 or more offers on a REO house when in reality their are only a few offers that the banks would consider. Don't be discouraged by this kind of talk and submit your educated offer. An REO hold buyer should be familiar with the local municipality and their code enforcement policies. Many cities are hurting for money and have taken aim and bank and investor owned REO properties to generate revenue. 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 REO Part II: Banks have departments that must maintain these homes, keep the lights on and keep the taxes paid. Banks cannot legally sell real estate directly to the public, so they enlist the services of a real estate broker to list the home for sale. The REO option offers many more benefits and less stress than the foreclosure auction. |
