Purchasing Foreclosures v. Bank Owned Real Estate
Before moving forward, we ought to explain the disparities between Real Estate Owned (REO) by a bank and Foreclosure real estate, as sometimes these terms are used interchangeably.
Foreclosure happens when the bank takes back a house, on which the home owner is unable to make payments. The foreclosure process and home owner rights are different from state-to-state. Should you have a specific foreclosure question, it is advisable to meet with a real estate lawyer in your respective state.
When a home owner stops making payments on their mortgage, the bank can start the foreclosure process. This can be a extremely specific legal and judicial procedure with absolute timelines and proceedings. In a foreclosure, the lender takes possession of the home and the house owner is forced to leave.
Foreclosures are not sold by Realtors. Foreclosure houses are auctioned in a Public Trustee Sale in the county in which the property is found. These auctions are available to the public. A person with cash on hand has the capacity to make a bid on any foreclosed property. Foreclosure properties must be paid for fully, with a cashiers check at the time of the auction. If you don’t possess the proverbial suitcase filled with cash, a foreclosure auction may not be your best bet.
If you purchase a dwelling in a foreclosure auction, you could be susceptible to various legal, judicial and title concerns. These issues are typically investigated and overcome by Realtors and title companies in traditional sales transactions. These issues involve, but aren’t limited to: title complications, multiple lien holders, IRS liens, building liens, open permits, delinquent taxes, tenants or owners still occupying the home. There may also be structural, functional or bug infestation problems with the house.
Furthermore, you won’t get the chance to visit and inspect the foreclosure residence prior to the auction. The photographs furnished (if any) can be outdated and no longer represent the actual condition of the home. Stories about disgruntled property owners damaging their properties while in foreclosure proceedings have become widespread.
A Bank Owned (REO) property is what a home can become if nobody buys it at a foreclosure auction.
In the event the residence isn’t sold, then the property is given back to the lending bank and goes on the conventional marketplace for sale via a Realtor. Financial institutions are normally very motivated to sell these homes as quickly as possible. Banks aren’t in the business of owning real estate. Banking institutions don’t like to own real estate, because ownership costs the Bank money. Banks will need to pay property taxes, insurance, and HOA fees, and so the longer an REO property stays on the books, the more it costs the Bank. Simply stated, Financial institutions just want the cash. This way they’re able to utilize the money to make loans for cars, boats as well as other houses.
REO homes are a great deal for the average person.
Anybody can present an offer. Once the offer is accepted by the selling bank, the transaction continues just like a standard sale. The buyer can preview the property before making an offer. The buyer can have the purchase funded with a mortgage and also have the home inspected. The selling bank will often have its own set of addenda and disclosures, so it’s crucial that you review this information with a realtor and perhaps legal counsel.
REOs are generally sold “As-Is” with right to inspect.
Before you begin looking for any Tampa homes, read Brian Chenicek’s free report on Tampa area real estate.
