Buying REO property or a foreclosure in Charlotte?


	Smart consumers will turn to a seasoned pro when considering a foreclosed property.

What is an REO?

"REO" or Real Estate Owned are properties which have been foreclosed upon and are now possessed by the bank or mortgage company. This differs from a property up for foreclosure auction. Atlantic Residential Realty has experience to share with foreclosures and bank owned properties in Charlotte, North Carolina

Atlantic Residential Realty has experience to share with foreclosures and bank owned properties in Charlotte, North Carolina

When buying a property during a foreclosure sale, you must pay at least the loan balance plus any interest and other fees added during the foreclosure process. You must also be prepared to pay with cash in hand. Finally, you'll get the property 100% as is. That possibly may include standing liens and even current occupants that may require removal.

A bank-owned property, conversely, is a much neater and attractive deal. The REO property didn't find a buyer during foreclosure auction. Now the bank owns it. The lender will attend to the elimination of tax liens, evict occupants if needed and generally prepare for the issuance of a title insurance policy to the buyer at closing.

Take notice that REOs may be exempt from normal disclosure requirements. For example, in Texas, it is optional for foreclosures to have a Property Disclosure Statement, a document that normally requires sellers to tell you about any defects they are aware of. By hiring Atlantic Residential Realty, you can rest assured knowing all parties are fulfilling North Carolina state disclosure requirements.

Are REO properties a bargain in Mecklenburg County?

It is frequently thought that any REO must be a good buy and a possibility for guaranteed profit. This isn't necessarily the case. You have to be cautious about buying a repossession if your intent is to make money off of it. While it's true that the bank is usually eager to offload it quickly, they are also motivated to get as much as they can for it.

Atlantic Residential Realty has experience to share with foreclosures and bank owned properties in Charlotte, North Carolina

Look closely at the listing and sales prices of comparable homes in the neighborhood when making an offer on an REO. And factor in any repairs or remodeling necessary to prepare the house for resale or moving in. There are bargains with potential to make money, and many people do very well buying foreclosures. But there are also many REOs that are not good buys and may not be money makers.

Prepared to make an offer?

Most mortgage companies have staff dedicated to REO that you'll work with in buying REO property from them. To get their properties advertised on the local MLS, the lender will frequently use a listing agent.

Prior to making your offer, you'll want to contact either the listing agent or REO department at the bank and find out as much as you can about what they know concerning the condition of the property and what their process is for taking offers. Since banks most commonly sell REO properties "as is", it's often prudent to include an inspection contingency in your offer that gives you time to check for unseen damage and cancel the offer if you find it. As with making any offer on real estate, providing documentation proving your ability to pay may make your offer more attractive, such as a pre-approval letter from a lender.

Once you've submitted your offer, you can expect the bank to make a counter offer. At this point it will be your decision whether to accept their counter, or make another counter offer. Your deal could be final in one day, but that's rare. Since offers and counter offers usually give the other party a day or longer to respond (and employees at a bank don't work nights or weekends) you could be looking at a week or longer.