Monday 30 June 2014

All About Bank Owned REO Properties

By Sherry Gross


It is common knowledge now that when property owners fail to service their mortgages, foreclosure proceedings are initiated and the bank repossesses the property. There are basically two types of foreclosure proceedings: judicial - where the courts are involved; and non-judicial where the courts are not involved in any way. Bank owned REO properties can arise from either of these proceedings depending on what the property owner does.

A property owner facing foreclosure always has the privilege to get back the property by paying the outstanding balance. However, this can only be done before proceedings are finalized. In the event a property owner fails to reclaim his or her property, ownership is transferred to the mortgage lender. REO (Real Estate Owned) properties are usually owned by banks and they can be disposed of just like any other type of real estate.

Banks normally use real estate agencies to deal with their REO holdings. These assets are normally posted on various listings for prospective buyers to express their interest. When this is done, the transaction and negotiations are done by the realtors. The property can be sold without consulting the banking institution that owns it provided the minimum price has been met.

Over the last five or so years, the number of REO's has increased significantly due to the housing crisis that occurred a few years ago. Many people defaulted on their mortgages forcing banks to repossess their homes and commercial real estate holdings. While some individuals were able to reclaim their assets, others did not have the financial muscle.

Prospective buyers are in a position to acquire REO homes and commercial real estate at a reduced price. In most cases, these properties can be bought at a discount of up to a fifth of the current market price. However, prices often vary from one city to the next, and the realtor a person chooses to work with will also affect how much they pay.

Buying a real estate owned asset involves the same procedures as buying a typical home. First, there must be advanced approval of a mortgage application. Secondly, a suitable real estate agent is sought. Thirdly, the right property is identified. This is often followed by negotiations where the buyer makes an offer and the broker counters until an agreement is reached.

Most banks usually sell their REO's on as is where is basis, so it is important that you inspect the building before making an offer. You can do this on your own, but you may want to consider hiring a professional housing inspector to do the job for you. This may cost you some money now, but it can save you thousands in the long run.

There is no fixed price for any kind of second hand good whether it is a piece of machinery or real asset. For this reason, any buyer can acquire property at discounted rates. Having a strong negotiating skill is what is needed to get you the lowest price.




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