Buying bank foreclosures can be an excellent way to find some great savings on real estate, whether you’re buying a new home for your family or an investment property to sell for a profit in the future. These properties have been repossessed by lending banks due to the owner’s default on their mortgage loan. In order to collect the remaining amount owed, the bank must attempt to sell the repossessed home through a public auction and use the proceeds to cover what is owed.
However, since the bank only needs to recover a portion of the loan to settle the debt and not its full amount, bank foreclosed homes often go for well below their actual open market value when sold through foreclosure auctions. In fact, the average homebuyer can save anywhere from 10 to 50% off a property simply by purchasing it through foreclosed home sales.
But to get the best prices on bank owned homes you have to be able to make the right bids. Buying a bank owned foreclosure is much different from buying at a regular auction, and there are certain steps and formalities you must consider. For one, you have to submit your bid directly to the bank. They will usually then review it and almost always deny your bid, offering another value to you. It is up to you to then haggle for a price. You can do this more effectively the more you know about the home. Make sure you make estimates of the home’s total value, including any costs necessary for repairs. Bring these to the attention of the bank, and use them as evidence that a lower asking price is warranted. Usually the bank will be responsive, but be sure to do your research, the more you know about the home, the better.
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Written by Alex Rolim.
