The borrower/owner pays off the default amount to reinstate the loan during a grace period determined by state laws. This grace period is also known as pre-foreclosure.
The borrower/owner sells the property to a third party during pre-foreclosure. The sale allows the borrower/owner to pay off the loan and avoid having a foreclosure on his or her credit history.
A third party buys the property at a public auction at the end of pre-foreclosure.
The lender takes ownership of the property, usually with the intent to re-sell. The lender can take ownership through an agreement with the borrower/owner during pre-foreclosure or by buying back the property at the public auction. These are also known as bank-owned properties.
Dear Visitor,
Keller Williams has been meeting the needs of home buyers and sellers in the Bucks and Montgomery area for many years. In addition to our real estate services, we can also assist you with a low-interest mortgage from our affiliate mortgage company.
Purchasing a foreclosure property can represent significant savings over a traditional home purchase, but the process is more complicated. In order to help you successfully purchase a property, I have put together a brief overview which explains the three phases of the foreclosure process and some of the benefits—and challenges—they present.
How Much Can You Save?
Foreclosure properties can sometimes be purchased for 20 – 30% below market value or more. But in markets where demand for homes is great and property values continue to grow, the actual savings can be significantly less. Contrary to popular belief, it’s very, very rare that a foreclosure property can be purchased for the amount of money in default. As an informed home buyer, it’s important for you to know what the market value of any home you’re interested in is. In the case of foreclosure properties, it’s also important to know other financial details—such as the default amount, the amount of the outstanding mortgage loan (or loans) and any tax liens on the property. Once you know what the property is worth, and what is owed, you can assess whether or not the home represents a good value, and develop a strategy to negotiate your best price.
Lis Pendens/Pre-Foreclosure Properties
These properties are considered “pre-foreclosure,” and are in the earliest stage of the foreclosure process. The property owner has been given notice that the property may be foreclosed upon if the debt has not been settled or paid in full by a predetermined date. In many cases, the home owner will resolve the debt, and keep his property. In cases where this isn’t possible, a Lis Pendens property often represents the greatest potential savings for a home buyer or investor, but these types of properties also usually take the longest to purchase and require the most work.
Since these properties are still under the control of the home owner, all negotiations need to be conducted directly with this individual. In our experience, the most successful strategy is to approach the home owner with a legitimate offer, backed up by pre-approved financing. If you choose me to act as your representative, I can help you determine a fair offer (one which saves you money, while offering the home owner a reasonable return), and attempt to present it to the home owner.
Auction Properties
If a default isn’t resolved during the Lis Pendens phase of the process, properties are auctioned at the courthouse in Bucks or Montgomery County. Call me for the date and time these auctions take place. Interested bidders need to register on the day of the sale, and must have approximately 5% of the winning bid amount in cash or a cashier’s check available at the time of the auction. Balance of the payment is due within a certain timeframe and sometimes due the same day. Additional costs and fees may be added to some final judgments listed, and some sales are subject to cancellation by order of the court.
Foreclosure auctions represent the opportunity for great bargains, but also carry the greatest risk for home buyers. Generally, properties won in auctions are purchased “as/is.” There is seldom an opportunity to inspect the property or get a formal appraisal. There is usually no time to do a thorough title search. Also, there may be other outstanding liens on the property that will become the responsibility of the winning bidder. Finally, auctions are often attended by “insiders” whose role is to inflate the winning bid price. If you’re interested in auction properties, make sure you do as much research on the properties you’re planning to bid on as possible before the auction to minimize your risk.
Bank-Owned Properties
In some cases, properties are foreclosed on by the lender—either directly or through the auction process. These properties are referred to as Bank-Owned Homes, or REOs (“Real Estate Owned”). Potential savings on these homes are typically less than at the earlier stages of foreclosure, but there are also fewer risks involved. Lenders are responsible for ensuring that the title is “clean,” and repairing the property to a minimum level. Most of these properties are eventually listed for sale by a real estate agent, although it’s sometimes possible to negotiate a better deal by approaching the lender before the property is listed for sale.
As is the case with all foreclosure properties, there are some potential complications concerning Bank-Owned homes. For instance, it’s sometimes difficult to identify which lender actually has possession of a property, as these homes are treated as assets and sometimes sold to other lenders. With larger financial institutions, it’s sometimes difficult to locate the person or department that handles REOs. In any case, the best way to successfully purchase a Bank-Owned home is to present the lender with a reasonable offer, preferably in a real estate contract with a deposit and a pre-qualification letter. I can assist you in this transaction process.
I hope the information above gives you a better understanding of the foreclosure process. As a full-service Real Estate Agent, I will be happy to help you find a home that best suits your needs—whether it’s a foreclosure property, or a traditional home purchase—and to help you arrange the best financing possible.
Here are a few tips for foreclosure investors and homebuyers seeking bank-owned properties:
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Real estate investing, like any investment strategy, is part of an overall financial plan. Before jumping into buying bank-owned real estate, understand the real estate laws, tax ramifications and other financial issues.
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Consult with a tax or financial adviser who can help you assess your financial situation. Get your financial house in order first — that way, you know how much house you can buy.
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Don't think that foreclosure investing is easy. For every successful real estate investor, there are countless others who have failed. Make sure you spend time studying the market.
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Seek professional help. Hire a real estate agent or an attorney with foreclosure experience.
