Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Can You Purchase REO Homes For Pennies On The Dollar?

The late-night TV commercials are all too familiar: Buy REO (Real Estate Owned) homes for pennies on the dollar!

But can you?

Without a doubt, real estate investors can take advantage of the glut of REO properties nowadays on the market. These REO homes are foreclosures that go back to the mortgage company when they aren’t sold at auction.

They finally end up at the bank, looking forward to investors such as you.

REO Homes For Sale


These deals offer plenty of potential for savvy real estate investors. Buying REOs is a great technique for seasoned investors. With so many houses in foreclosure – about one in five home owners owe more on their houses than what they are truly worth – real estate owned properties are simply just one way that successful real estate investors can certainly cash in on bargains.

Generally, most foreclosed homes aren’t sold at auction because the bank is owed more than what the property is worth. It should go back to the bank and becomes an REO property.

So what now? The mortgage loan is erased. The bank may possibly deal with the eviction, do some fixing and also negotiate with the IRS for tax liens. At this moment, here is where you being an investor come in.

What To Look For In Bank REOs

Not each and every real estate owned property is a wonderful deal.

  • Make sure your offer can be compared to prices of some other nearby houses.
  • Consider the expenses of renovations.
  • Always keep your eye on market value and don’t feel pressured to pay more.

Make sure you do the same due diligence on bank-owned properties as you would any property that you buy.

Every bank might have a distinctive method when it comes to selling homes, however, they are all thinking about the bottom line. Banking companies aren’t in the home business, but they also have got committed departments that undertake nothing but sell and handle this type of inventory.

Making An Offer

The bank is going to sell the home “as-is” without having warranty. Before making an offer, you should definitely find out the following details:

  • Are there assessment reports you'll have to see?
  • Find out precisely what work, if any, the bank has agreed upon to perform.
  • Learn how long it will take for the bank to take the offer.
  • Discover how your agent must deliver the particular offer.

Whenever you make an offer, be prepared for the bank to counter offer. This is normal, and you should plan for this.

Ensure that your offer includes an inspection phase that helps you to end the sale if perhaps you'll find damages which you didn’t predict. Your offer should be easy to accept and should include a pre-approval letter for your REO home.


If you have the desire to be a successful real estate investor and want to improve your business then make sure you explore our site and check out more articles, more information and FREE Resources to give you a solid basis of real estate investing.

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