Jan 21, 2010
Purchasing Foreclosed Properties
When a property owner fails to meet up to their monthly mortgage payments on time, the result is a foreclosure. During a foreclosure the lender takes over the property.
Foreclosure Process
There are several steps in a foreclosure process. Here is a look at what they are:
The first stage is a pre-foreclosure, wherein the property has not yet gone into complete control of the lender. As a buyer, when a property is on sale, in this stage, you can get a really good deal. You can buy it straight away from the lender and get a good discount, lower down payment amount and a sales agreement that shows some flexibility.
The second stage is foreclosure. You have to buy the foreclosed property at an auction, wherein you can still get the property at a reduced market rate.
The third stage is the REO or ‘real estate owned’ foreclosure. Here the property has a clear title and there is also less risk in buying such properties. This stage comes into effect, when this property has failed to sell in a foreclosure auction. It is also called a post-foreclosure stage.
Where to Find Foreclosed Properties?
Foreclosed properties cannot be found in usual property listings. You can find such properties being offered in Sheriff’s Sales, in foreclosed property auction sales, and through foreclosure notices in newspapers. You can also find them in Multi Listing Services (MLS). Yet another good source for such property sales is the internet. Check out sites such as foreclosurenet.net, neorealestate.com and so on
Whom to Purchase Foreclosed Properties?
Purchasing a foreclose property cannot happen from the property owner and hence you have to know from whom you should make this purchase. You can buy it from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development when the foreclose property is sold through and auction.
How to purchase a foreclosed property?
Buying a foreclosed property is not the same as buying a regular property on the market. Here is a look into how to purchase a foreclosed property:
- Look for foreclosed properties from different sources that offer such properties for sale.
- Make a list of properties that you are interested in buying and find out their details. You can find good information on this at official government, county and state department sites.
- Once you have details with you, short list properties which you feel are really good for checking out.
- Go in person to see the properties. Carefully inspect them, find problem areas and compare with other similar properties in the same area.
- Find out information on the owner such as unpaid taxes, repair work and so on, so that you know what kind of expenses you have to incur.
- Assess if the property you seek really meets your budget. If the property was to come out at a foreclosure auction, make a bid for it, else submit your sealed bid to the lender
Making Payments on Foreclosed Properties
You can make payments for foreclosed properties by making a payment during the auction, else making a payment in cash or cheque to the financial institution that is conducting the sales privately.
Advantages in Purchasing Foreclose Properties
When you decide to buy foreclose you gain in the following ways:
- You are able to buy a house at a price that is lesser than the market value
You can avail a home loan on such properties - If you have a good credit rating and enough money to make the down payment, foreclosed properties are really the best option
- Since cash payments are required in many costs matters related to property purchase, competition to buy the property is less.
- If you were to consider a foreclosed property that is in the REO stage, you have the benefit of getting a property with clear title and you an also get a home inspection done on the same.
Disadvantages of Buying Foreclosed properties
There are certainly drawbacks to buying foreclosed properties. Here is a look at what they are:
- The process is a bit complicated and you do have to bear high pay-offs in such dealings
- You might land up with a property that has some unpaid debts and taxes, which you have to clear up
- When you buy a foreclosed property at an auction, you are not allowed any inspection
- In the event that you buy a foreclosed property which is in the REO stage, you cannot expect to get any discounts
- You should be ready to make payments in cash wherever necessary as this is the requirement in such purchases
Watch the video related to property foreclosure
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Help answer the question about property foreclosure
Is it illegal for me to buy a foreclosure property in public auction if the house was owned by my parents?
My parents lost their house due to foreclosure. They currently live in it and I assume once the foreclosure goes through, they will be kicked out.
My question is..
How many days after the house is sold to the new owner in the auction will they have till eviction?
And if I were to buy the property at the auction, would there be any problems since I am the son of the original owners that foreclosed on the property?
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It is being sold as is and owners are notorious for trashing it. Be sure you look at it again before the closing date. I have heard many stories about it looking good at the 1st look and getting trashed before closing. If that happens the bank WILL NOT fix anything!
The buyer. You may need to work with the county sheriff. It's a mess and not something for the casual investor.
the asking price usually has nothing to do with what is owed on it, but rather is based on an appraisal in it's current as is condition.
I wouldn't purchase it using your VA benefits. If you've got 20% downpayment go conventional. If you buy it then you have to leave (bought it as investment property) you can rent it out right away.
This way you won't have any issues…
It's not an ordinary purchase. You have to "BID" on them and believe me, if you haven't done this before you can either lose to a better bidder, or lose your shirt over repairs afterwards. If you think you are going to get a bargain because it's been foreclosed, think again. Right now all real estate is a bargain, interest rates are still at a 40 Year low! And some areas are experiencing reductions in price. This change has been occuring for the past 2 1/2 almost 3 years. I hope it's almost over because we need buyers, not sellers!
So go by a home and provide for all of us in the economy! If you'd like more, just send me an email.
There is so much involved in buying foreclosed properties, and investing in Real Estate Period. To learn how the business works spend some time calling Realtors that specialize in selling REOs. The are a great source of free Information. Go to your local library and do a search for books dealing with foreclosure. Look at the different systems and techniques used in these books, because you will need a systematic approach to be successful at this. Next write a detailed business plans on how you are going to execute, when the time comes. Good Luck.
The financial institution just wants to get their money. They do not usually care about property values and neighborhoods. We purchased our house for $205,000 and it was appraised for 330,000. It is an absolutely great way to buy a house. You should be aware of forclosures usually needing extensive work and the closing could take a couple of extra weeks. Also, be wary of site-unseen property. (Don't buy it unless you have seen it inside.)
Good luck.
"I like to sit in the car and write the check on the glove compartment door."
Jake Blues
By pass the Agents and the Lists and go directly to the banks in your area. The banks have foreclosure lists that are on their books. They want them gone because they are a drain on their cash reserves. They will be happy to give you their foreclosure list and will probably help you with financing as well. Why pay other people when you can do it yourself?