How To Purchase Foreclosed Homes

And If Youre The Winner

Be ready for things to move fast. With Auction.com, for example, the contracting department will contact you within two hours and walk you through the online purchase and sale agreement, which shows the total purchase price and the timeline for submitting documents and payments. Make sure that escrow receives your documents and payments on time otherwise, you could lose your earnest money deposit.

Look closely at the property page for each property you are planning to bid on. Many properties have whats called a buyers premium, which is the fee charged by the auction company for conducting the sale, from marketing through the closing. The amount can vary, but its usually 5% of the winning bid amount. Many properties dont have a buyers premium because the bank or seller has arranged to pay this fee out of their proceeds from the sale.

Bidding On A Home Thats Getting Foreclosed On

There are three ways to bid on a home thats getting foreclosed on:

How Long Does It Take To Buy A Foreclosed Home In Georgia

Buying pre-foreclosures or REOs in Georgia can take a similar amount of time as a conventional property , but they may close faster if you don’t use conventional financing . REOs can take longer ifthe lender has a lot on their plate or difficulty scheduling a time to close.

Buying at an auction goes relatively quickly because you pay for the property right away. You can close and have the deed in a matter of days.

Recommended Reading: Wholesale Lots For Sale

Understand The Options For Buying A Foreclosed Home

There are two main ways to purchase a foreclosure:, at an auction or from a lender after they have failed to sell at auction.

Purchase Through Short Sale

A short sale occurs when the homeowner sells a home for less than what they owe on the mortgage because the value has declined. Foreclosure has not been completed. The homeowner still owns the home so you work through their REALTOR®.

When you buy a home in a short sale, the lender needs to approve your offer. You might spend a lot of time waiting for approval.

Purchase At Auction

Youll get a home faster at auction than you would if you negotiated with the bank or a seller. Homebuyers also have the opportunity to buy a property significantly below at auction. However, most auctions only accept cash payments, which means that youll need to have a significant amount of money ready for the purchase.

If the auction does allow for financing through a mortgage, you want to make sure that you have a preapproval ready. Its important to realize that not all approvals are the same. We recommend a Verified Approval1 where your income and assets are verified.

By purchasing at an auction, you also agree to buy the home as-is without an appraisal or inspection. This means you take a big risk when you buy a foreclosed home at an auction. Speak with a real estate attorney if this is something youre interest in.

Purchase From A Lender

The Bottom Line: Consider Purchasing A Foreclosed Home

If youve dreamt of making the move to homeownership but your budget is tight, buying a foreclosed home might be the right choice for you. Its possible to find foreclosed homes that are being offered at below-market rates.

Again, dont rush into this decision. Its best to work with a real estate agent who can explain both the pros and cons of buying a foreclosed home in your community. And before you make an offer, be aware of the additional risk you might be taking on when you dip into the foreclosure market.

Already on the search for a foreclosed home to purchase? If youre not sure how to budget for a mortgage, use our mortgage calculator to estimate how much principal and interest youll pay each month.

We were unable to determine the home price you can afford with the numbers you entered. Try adjusting your numbers, or contact a Home Loan Expert at 983-1344 to see what you can afford.

This is your income before taxes. Include income from any co-borrowers.

Include all required minimum monthly debt payments.

We will figure out the best down payment and additional closing costs.

If you don’t have a home picked out yet, your best guess is fine.

Also Check: How Do You Get Your Debt To Income Ratio

S To Buy A Foreclosed Home In Pennsylvania

In every homebuyer’s journey, there’s a point where they ask themselves if they should buy a foreclosure and save some money. With median Pennsylvania home prices up 10.70% in the past year and mortgageinterest rates on the rise, finding an affordable foreclosure seems increasingly appealing.

Buying a foreclosed home in Pennsylvania could be a great opportunity, especially for flippers looking to cash in on increasing home prices. That said, you need to know what you’re doing, as there are many pitfalls and rules that come with buyingforeclosures.

Fortunately, Clever Real Estate can connect you with a local agent with expertise in buying foreclosures in Pennsylvania. Not all agents have experience with foreclosures, so this gives you a huge one-up on the competition. Plus, you can also earn a cash-backbonus when you purchase a qualifying home.

How Can You Find A Pre

First of all, these are not properties advertised for sale, usually. Once the Notice of Default is written up, it is recorded at the county recorders office.

Notice of Defaults also can be issued for failure to pay property taxes or HOAs , Blomquist says.

He says that you can go to a county recorders office to look for these notices of default. An easier way is to find the information online. His own company along with other local and nationwide businesses offer lists of pre-foreclosure properties for a subscription-based fee.

We go and do that legwork for you. We are at county offices every day collecting these records, he says.

What he is seeing in the industry are companies such as Open Door and Offer Pad being more proactive and allowing homeowners in the pre-foreclosure period to come to them to get a cash offer.

You type in your address, and they will give you at least an all-cash offer within three days. Not everyone that goes to them will be in pre-foreclosure, he says.

Also Check: How Can Bankruptcy Be An Advantage To A Creditor

How To Find Foreclosed Homes For Sale

Foreclosed properties can be found on multiple listing service websites and print publications, via online real estate searches, at bank offices and websites, and in local newspapers.

In local multiple listing services, the foreclosure status of a property may not be highlighted the fact may only be stated in the property description.

A more direct route is to go through websites that specialize in homes and properties in foreclosure, such as Fannie Maes HomePath.com. Some financial institutions such as Bank of America also have web search pages for foreclosed homes.

Lenders increasingly are selling seized assets through real estate agents, so dont hesitate to ask a real estate broker or agent for opportunities. Some real estate pros even specialize in foreclosure properties.

Risks And Rewards Of Buying A Foreclosed Home

The amount of risk and potential reward of buying a foreclosed home can vary depending on which part of the foreclosure process the home is in.

First, lets cover some of the risks of investing in a foreclosed home:

• Theres a lot of competition to buy a foreclosure. Real estate investors, for instance, often bid cash for a foreclosed home to operate as an income property with no contingencies and no questions asked.
• The condition of a foreclosure home isnt disclosed or guaranteed. Unlike buying a home listed on the MLS by a real estate agent, the bank isnt required to disclose anything about the property to a buyer. Thats why its important to learn as much as possible about the house before you bid.
• Buying a foreclosed home doesnt always make sense. Just because a home is being sold at a foreclosure auction doesnt necessarily mean its a good deal. Some foreclosure homes have been completely trashed by the previous owner and require major repairs like new roofs or heating and air conditioning systems.

However, theres an upside to everything. Some of the rewards of buying a foreclosed home include:

Don’t Miss: Can You Cancel A Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Consider Hiring A Real Estate Agent Who Specializes In Foreclosures

You don’t necessarily need a real estate agent in order to buy a foreclosure, but they can provide expert advice on foreclosures in your search area. They can also help you assess whether a foreclosed home’s asking price is worth the potential risks involved, such as budget issues or repairs.

If you know you don’t want to hire a real estate agent, start by searching for foreclosed homes online. You can also drive through neighborhoods to see if there are any homes for sale labeled “Foreclosure Property.” Make sure you research what other homes, both foreclosed and non-foreclosed, in the area sell for so you can see whether the property you’re interested in falls above or below that level.

Is A Foreclosed Home The Best Option For You

Foreclosures present a great opportunity for homebuyers looking to save money and invest in rehabbing a property that may have been neglected. But foreclosed homes are not for everyone. Be sure you understand how to buy a foreclosed home and all of the risks involved before you get in over your head.

Get the CNET Personal Finance newsletter

Recommended Reading: How To Build My Credit After Bankruptcy

Risks Of Buying A Foreclosed Home

Don’t let an appealing price tag lead you into home-buying mistakes. There are serious risks involved.

• Expensive repairs: “Most experienced agents will not take first-time homebuyers to foreclosed properties since, often, they are in rough shape and could become money pits,” says Bhatt. Count all the costs before you close a deal.
• A drawn-out buying process: Because you’re dealing directly with a bank, there can be more red tape involved.
• Steep competition: If home prices continue soaring in 2021, foreclosures may become a popular way for buyers to find a deal, leading to increased buyer competition and higher prices.
• Redemption periods: Most states offer a period of redemption after a foreclosure sale. During this period, the original homeowner could still catch up on payments and earn their home back — even after you’ve moved into the house. Redemption periods can range from 30 days to a year, so be sure to check your state’s laws before you buy a foreclosure.
• Squatters: If a property has been abandoned for a while, squatters may be living there. And if they’ve been there for an extended time, you might run into problems. All states have laws that grant squatters rights of adverse possession after a certain period of time meaning the property legally becomes theirs. In some states, this window is as short as five years, but it’s usually longer. Make sure you assess your property thoroughly to avoid any potential squatter disputes.

Additional Tips For Property Investors

The rest of the process is much the same as with other property purchases, and you will need to present an offer to purchase. If you are buying a foreclosed property, you should check that everything has been done in line with the law and a certificate of title has been issued.

Your offer will be taken more seriously if you can provide a proof of funds letter this sets you apart from other buyers. This is because if foreclosures are popular in your area with other investors, the chances are that you will have to compete and a proof of funds letter adds gravitas to your offer.

If you are planning to bid, decide how much you are willing to do in advance. Be prepared to bid and exceed other offers in set increments until you reach the limit you set for bidding.

Buying a foreclosed property can be an excellent way to find more affordable homes in New York. Investors can expect to find properties for better prices at these auctions, but with the caveat of not always being able to inspect them first.

If you are prepared to take the risk of buying a foreclosed property, go into the foreclosure auction with a concrete plan and a non-negotiable maximum bid limit. By doing so, you can limit the risks involved in the transaction and open the door for a highly profitable flip or a rental acquisition that generates passive income for decades to come.

You May Like: Buy Pallets Of Returned Items

Buying A Home At An Online Auction

In an online auction, you wont find yourself standing on the steps of the county courthouse or packed into a hotel ballroom. You could be anywhere when you bidat home, the office, even an airportas long as you have an Internet connection. Bidding can occur 24 hours a day over the course of days or weeks, instead of on a single day.

Online auctions also broaden the types of properties you can bid on: short sales, non-distressed, bank-owned homes , and commercial property and notes.

The steps for bidding in an online auction are similar to a live auction.

Benefits Of Buying A Foreclosed Home

• Lower prices: One undeniable benefit is that foreclosed homes almost always cost less than other homes in the area or they are listed below market value. This is because theyre priced by the lender, who wants the home off of their books.
• Standard loan configurations: You might have to follow a slightly different bidding and buying process when you buy a foreclosure, but you still have a few loan options as long as its not a cash-only auction. As long as the home youre considering is in livable condition, you can get a conventional loan or a government-backed VA loan, FHA loan or USDA loan to buy it. Government-backed loans can make homeownership more affordable, but you if the property is damaged, the government may require work to be done.

Don’t Miss: Southern Florida Bankruptcy Court

Get An Inspection And Appraisal

Because the property may not have been well taken care of, its strongly recommended that you get a home inspection. A professional inspector will flag any problems with the homes structure or major appliance systems. If there are large issues thatd be expensive to fix, youll have to weigh the cost of repairs with the savings youre getting from purchasing a foreclosed home. A home appraisal will provide you and your future lender with a professional estimate of the homes value.

Pay For An Inspection And Resolve Liens On The Home

Once your offer is accepted, youll have a period where you can arrange for inspections. If its allowed, you may find it wise to inspect the property prior to putting an offer down to buy a foreclosure. In general, inspections cost anywhere from $400 to $800, depending on what options you choose. For a foreclosed home, youll want a thorough home inspection, including add-ons such as a termite and radon check, along with a sewer and water line assessment. The more you know up-front about the state of the home, the better.

As for resolving liens, many foreclosed properties have more than one loan. The previous owner may have had a piggyback loan from a different lender than the main loan. A reputable title company can help you sort through the liens and untangle any potential conflicts before you move forward with the loan. If everything checks out, you can move forward towards closing.

Read Also: How To Report Bankruptcy Fraud Anonymously

Q: How Is A Property Deed Conveyed With A Home Foreclosure

A: A deed is a written document that transfers property title from one party to another. Some deeds protect the buyer against any liens or claims on the property, while others warranty as little as possible. Find out ahead of time what type of property deed is being used to convey title to the foreclosure home youre bidding on.

Get The Home Inspected To Determine Additional Costs

Contact a home inspector to look over the home you want to purchase. They will give you a detailed report of repairs needed, and point out any potential problems with the home’s foundation or overall structure. Some home inspectors also provide a cost estimate for the repairs. This will help you determine if the house is still in your price range after considering the work that needs to be done. Note that this is not the case with auctioned foreclosure properties because you have to bid on and purchase them before you can do an inspection, so weigh your options carefully.

Also Check: Types Of Debt Relief

Have The Property Inspected

An inspection should be part of buying any home, but it is crucial for bank-owned homes. Real estate owned properties are typically sold âas is,â meaning the homebuyer is on the hook for any repairs â including major structural issues â that need to be fixed. An REO home may have been vacant for weeks or months, it may be neglected due to the homeowner’s financial trouble, or the previous owners may have removed items or damaged the property before vacating. Additionally, it’s possible that the property has gone through non-permitted renovations.

With that in mind, you need to be 100% sure you know what needs to be fixed before finalizing the loan. Having a home inspection done is the best way to take a thorough inventory of what repairs need to be made. The cost of these repairs should be added to the asking price so you have a better idea of what the home will cost you .

In some cases, the lender may conduct an inspection when the home becomes bank-owned. If so, make sure you get a copy of the inspection report and review it thoroughly to decide if it is comprehensive enough to help make your decision.