How To Bid On Foreclosed Real Estate

By Adriana Noton

If you love a bargain and you are looking for a home whether it is to move into, or as a business investment, this may be the time to do it. Foreclosures have taken over the real estate market, and while it may be a loss for some it could be a potential opportunity for you. If you are considering purchasing a foreclosed home you have to be aware of the potential hazards and do your homework before signing any type of deal.

Banks are in a hurry to sell homes that they repossess because they do not want to take on the financial burdens of these houses which include property taxes, insurance and other costs. When a foreclosed home first comes onto the market its value is reduced drastically. The bidding competition that goes on between potential buyers is what pushes the price back up, making it not so much of a bargain anymore. This is why you should plan your finances ahead. Designate only a certain amount of money you are willing to spend and do not go over your budget. There are plenty of foreclosures available without you losing your head over one.

If you can network directly with an asset manager at a bank you can get ahead of the game. If you keep in touch regularly you may can get the heads up on houses that are about to hit the market giving you a head start.

If you have your eye on a real estate property from a particular bank you should get a pre-approved mortgage from that same bank. If you are bidding in the same price range as other competitors who have mortgages from different banks, and you are bidding with a mortgage from the seller bank your bid will be given favorable consideration.

Keep in mind that when a bank sells a foreclosed home they are selling it in the condition they repossessed it in. This could mean problems for you. The previous owners were struggling to keep up payments and probably ignored even basic maintenances or may have even wrecked the house before leaving. This becomes your problem once you purchase a home so prepare you budget with the knowledge that you will most likely have to get some work done on the house.

Once you have been awarded a bid the bank will try to move as fast as they can to get the paperwork finalized and hand over the house to you. Before signing you should get the legal advice of a real estate lawyer. Whatever the fees, it would be a good idea to get a lawyer because you are investing so much money into a property you really need to understand the fine legal print on the contracts.

Before placing a bid on a house watch what your competitors are bidding in the first few days. This will give you an idea of how you should bid. You can also ask the agent in charge what kind of bids they are receiving so as to bid a little higher and get the advantage.

You should visit a property you expect to bid on with a professional contractor in order to sniff out any damages to the property and what it will cost to fix them. This allows you to make an accurate bid with all things considered. - 31366

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