Buying bank owned properties?  Call Jeanie Elliott for Experienced Real Estate Assistance with Foreclosure Purchases In Collin County, Fairview, Lucas, Parker, Allen, Plano, Wylie, Frisco, Wylie, Murphy, McKinney, and other NorthTexas cities, towns, and rural or gated communities.

There is a lot of interest in buying bank owned properties these days. A lot of information, some good and some bad, is floating around about the subject.   Often the information offered is for sale, with the promise that you can make a lot of money with little effort once you know “the secret formula”.  The fact is that there are no secrets, and to make money does require effort.

What’s an REO?
REO stands for “Real Estate Owned”.  These are properties that have gone through foreclosure and are now owned by the bank or mortgage company.  This is not the same as a property up for foreclosure auction.  When buying a property during a foreclosure sale, you must pay at least the loan balance plus any interest and other fees accumulated during the foreclosure process.  You must also be prepared to pay with cash in hand.  And on top of all that, you’ll receive the property 100% “as is”.  That could include existing liens and even current occupants that need to be evicted.  A REO, by contrast, is a much “cleaner” and attractive transaction.  The REO property did not find a buyer during foreclosure auction.  The bank now owns it.  The bank will see to the removal of tax liens, evict occupants if needed and generally prepare for the issuance of a title insurance policy to the buyer at closing.  Do be aware that REO’s may be exempt from normal disclosure requirements.  In some states including Texas, for example, banks are exempt from giving a Seller Disclosure Statement, a document that normally requires sellers to tell you about any defects they are aware of.

Is it a bargain?
It’s commonly assumed that any REO must be a bargain and an opportunity for easy money.  This simply isn’t true.  You have to be very careful about buying a REO if your intent is to make money off of it.  While it’s true that the bank is typically anxious to sell it quickly, they are also strongly motivated to get as much as they can for it.  When considering the value of a REO, you need to look closely at comparable sales in the neighborhood and be sure to take into account the time and cost of any repairs or remodeling needed to prepare the house for resale.  The bargains with money making potential exist, and many people do very well buying foreclosures.  But there are also many REO’s that are not good buys and not likely to turn a profit.  I am well able and have the resources to help you determine if the property you are considering is a good investment, and how much to offer.

Ready to make an offer?
Most banks have a REO department that you’ll work with in buying a REO property from them.  Typically the REO department will use a listing agent to get their REO properties listed on the local MLS.  Before making your offer, you’ll want your agent to contact either the listing agent or REO department at the bank and find out as much as you can about what they know about the condition of the property and what their process is for receiving offers.  Since banks almost always sell REO properties “as is”, you’ll want to be sure and include an inspection contingency in your offer that gives you time to check for hidden damage and terminate the offer if you find it.  As with making any offer on real estate, you’ll make your offer more attractive if you can include documentation of your ability to pay, such as a pre-approval letter from a lender.  After you’ve made your offer, you can expect the bank to make a counter offer.  Then it will be up to you to decide whether to accept their counter, or offer a counter to the counter offer.  Realize, you’ll be dealing with a process that probably involves multiple people at the bank, and they don’t work evenings or weekends.  It’s not unusual for the process of offers and counter offers to take days or even weeks.

I have substantial experience in buying and selling foreclosures/REO'S and will be representing your best interest to help you determine if the property is a good match for your needs and expectations.

Please call me today at 972-612-2277 to discuss my buyer's representation services and how I can help you in finding, negotiating and purchasing these types of properties.  I know of properties coming up that have not made it to auction yet in the areas where I specialize including Allen ISD, Plano ISD, Frisco ISD, McKinney ISD, Prosper ISD, Celina ISD, Lovejoy ISD, Wylie ISD, and the smaller towns and rural communities of Fairview, Lucas, Murphy, Parker, Melissa, and Saint Paul.

I am up to date on the reports of these areas monthly.

Regards,

Jeanie Elliott

Jeanie Elliott REALTORS, since 1980

972-612-2277  Direct Office

214-538-3776   Mobile

jeanie@earthlink.net

"Personal Service is my Goal...Integrity in Selling is My Commitment"

 Country Estate Property Expert, Gated and Guarded Communities, New Custom Homes,  Premier Lots, Fine Homes on Acreage

 Specialists in Fairview Texas Real Estate, Lucas Texas Real Estate, Seis Lagos Texas Homes, Allen Texas Real Estate, Parker Texas Homes, Wylie Texas Real Estate, McKinney Texas Homes for Sale, Plano Texas Real Estate, Frisco Texas Homes, Prosper Texas Real Estate, Murphy Texas Homes, Celina Texas Real Estate, Collin County Homes  and Lots for Sale, and other North Texas communities and rural areas.