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Definitions for Deal-Seeking Buyers: Short Sales, Foreclosures, and REO Homes

HomeLight

You may have heard that short sales, foreclosures, or bank-owned properties offer great opportunities for a steal , but what do these different terms mean, and how does the homebuying transaction work for each? What’s the difference between buying a short sale vs. a foreclosure, and where can the best deals be had?

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How and When to Buy Foreclosure Property

Realty Biz

Many of these will be new investors that don’t have experience with the pre-foreclosures, short sales, and foreclosures, that occurred during the Great Recession. Pre-foreclosures are commonly confused with the foreclosure process and REOs (real estate owned by a lender). Buying Pre-foreclosures as Short Sales.

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Safety Tips for Appraising REO Properties

McKissock

If a mortgage lender acquires the title to a property as the result of a foreclosure, the property is called an “REO” property, which is short for “Real Estate Owned.” However, inspecting these types of properties can be dangerous. It is a good idea to take another person along when inspecting REO properties.

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How Do I Find an REO Buyer’s Agent Who Knows Bank-Owned Home Sales?

HomeLight

But then, it went into foreclosure and didn’t sell at auction, so now it’s listed as an REO, or real estate-owned property. Even experienced homebuyers who’ve already bought and sold a few homes will find the process much different, and they will also need an agent who specializes in REO sales. What’s an REO home?

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How to Buy a Foreclosure: Your Go-To Guide to Distressed Properties

HomeLight

They’ll put the house up for auction either in a sheriff’s or public trustee sale (the name depends on what foreclosure process your state follows). Bank-Owned or REO: If a home doesn’t sell at auction, it becomes a real-estate owned home , meaning the bank or lender officially owns it. Short sale.

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What Are the Pros and Cons of Buying a Bank-Owned Home?

HomeLight

You will also have to expect a drawn-out process and condition issues, and you’ll have to button up your insurance and inspection processes. Here, we break down the major pros and cons of buying a bank-owned property to demystify the process and prepare potential buyers. What is a bank-owned home? Let’s start with the basics.

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13 Steps to Buying a Bank-Owned Foreclosure

HomeLight

If the homeowner fails to catch up on their payments by the auction date, the home is auctioned for sale. The home is now bank-owned (sometimes also called REO, or “real estate owned”). First, it’s worth noting that the term “bank-owned foreclosure” is a bit of a misnomer. Step 9: Order an inspection.

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