3 Reasons to Avoid Buying a Foreclosure 1. Competitive Sales Banks aim to offload REO-related property taxes and liabilities as soon as possible. They price properties to sell, and accept the lowest-risk offers to avoid lengthy closing processes. Banks seek all-cash offers or offers from preapproved buyers with trustworthy credit and sizable down payments. Most first-time buyers cannot compete with investors who swiftly identify quality REO homes, move quickly making enticing offers and close without financing procedures. Additionally, if experienced real estate professionals don’t make offers on an REO property, first-time buyers are wise to avoid it, too. Investors often look for homes to flip, and even buyers shopping for fixer-uppers should carefully heed the warning of disinterested experts. 2. As-Is Condition When house hunters visit REO properties, they don’t have the luxury of visualizing their lifestyles in nicely-staged environments. Foreclosed homes often sit vacant on the market for a period of time before they’re purchased. So, buyers must stay open minded to see the potential in each property. Consider too that vacant properties sometimes don’t have electricity to power lights for walkthroughs. Further, buyers of foreclosed homes do not receive property disclosures. Since banks are unfamiliar with the history of properties, buyers accept the risk of purchasing homes with unforeseen damages. It’s unlikely that previous homeowners who couldn’t afford their mortgages were prioritizing property maintenance, leaving repairs for future owners. Buyers should hire thorough home inspectors to survey properties before making offers. Unlike other for-sale listings, buyers cannot negotiate with sellers (banks) to make upgrades to properties before closing. Banks intentionally price properties low accounting for buyer upgrades. Buyers of foreclosures must prepare to purchase homes in as-is condition. 3. Long-Term Vacancy and Vandalism In addition to the aforementioned vacancy concerns, some REO properties remain vacant for extended periods of time. Pipes freeze in the winter when homes aren’t heated, bursting and causing costly water damages. Rodents and even homeless transients take refuge in abandoned properties. Before making offers, buyers need to evaluate the health concerns and total costs of repairs to create livable conditions in REO homes. Banks sometimes permit short sales when borrowers are underwater on their mortgages. Short sales occur when banks accept the resale of a property for lesser value than borrowers currently owe. Short sales are sometimes more cost-effective for banks than allowing 90 days of nonpayment followed by property marketing resale. In many cases, banks do not permit short sales resulting in disgruntled homeowners. Upset, angry or financially stressed homeowners facing foreclosure often strip properties of removable, valuable features and even intentionally vandalize properties as retaliation. Buyers should account for the costs of replacing appliances and fixtures including dishwashers, sinks, toilets and light fixtures. A foreclosure property may not be worth the inexpensive price tag if countless big-ticket items are missing. In all, buyers have numerous factors to consider when shopping for homes; one of the major influencers is price. REO properties may meet that objective at first glance, but the challenges of competing for a quality home, the risk of unforeseen damages, the health concerns of unkempt properties and potential costs of stripped appliances may dilute the bargain. Posted by RE-Insider on 9/25/14 • Categorized as Feature Stories By Tali Wee of Zillow
Posted on: Fri, 26 Dec 2014 19:41:30 +0000
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