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Mercer County, West Virginia Homes For Sale. Find a Wholesale Bank-Owned REO in Mercer County, West Virginia, WV:Featured Topic: REOThe time required to purchase an REO is generally much shorter than a short sale as REO's will already have a list price that the bank has agreed to. REO offers are usually FAXED to the bank because the listing agent needs your originals and there is no formal presentation so keep in mind nothing happens evenings and weekends because banks are closed. Conventional and FHA programs for REOs change regularly and real estate investors must stay abreast of the current loan programs. This is the optimum time to learn about REO's and cash flow as there will be a large transfer of properties needed to liquidate the bank owned inventory. It is critical for REO buyers to communicate competence, integrity and ability to close escrow to the listing REO agent. A good REO purchase must be analyzed buy either current market value or long term cash flow ability. Low list price alone does not mean a great deal. If other buyers ask for 17 days on an REO, for example, to conduct inspections, and you ask for 10, you will be deemed the more serious buyer. Due to high opening bid prices most homes do not sell at the trustee sale and go back to the banks, becoming REOs. Many REO buyers agents are not comfortable working with investors. It is important to find an agent that is familiar with investor transactions. Discussing cash flow numbers and formulas with you CPA or real estate lawyer is a good idea to fully understand the long term tax implications of a buy, rent and hold REO deal. If Fannie Mae knows of any hazards on REO properties they own or market, they disclose this information through their real estate listing agents. However, they may not have been informed by the previous owner of all hazards. They encourage you to have the property inspected by a professional before you buy. In addition to your ability to pay for a mortgage on an REO (as indicated by your debts and income), FHA will look at your ability to repay as indicated by your credit report. REO listing agents make money by either selling a lot of REOs or operating as a dual agent. Under dual agency, the REO listing agent will earn both the listing commission and the buyer's agent's commission. If the bank REO does not appraise for the purchase price and the buyer is obtaining a loan that requires a 20% down payment or less, the buyer's lender will not fund unless the buyer coughs up more cash or the REO lender discounts the price. Cash buyers don't make offers contingent on an appraisal. As rigid as REO properties or HUD homes may seem, the REO process is as much as part of foreclosures as the preforeclosure side of the business. Ask a group of real estate millionaires how they made their money and most will recite some version of this axiom When everyone zigs, you zag. In today’s downward real estate market the axiom simply translates into buying property when most others are not and that’s exactly what REO buyers in Southern California are doing. In search of a cheap hold REO, many buyers overlook the realities of the neighborhood which can really be costly when trying to rent. Renters have many choices these days and a rough area will require lower rents. Many REO investors do not realize the large number of homes that have gone back to banks but remain unlisted will eventually hit the market and have an impact on price. REO Part II: Banks have departments that must maintain these homes, keep the lights on and keep the taxes paid. Banks cannot legally sell real estate directly to the public, so they enlist the services of a real estate broker to list the home for sale. Real estate brokers in turn with the REO manager within the bank to negotiate through an offer. The bank wants to sell the property for cash to invest in other ways. A bank will be looking for a quick sale, and as such may offer benefits and incentives to the prospective buyers. Savings of 20% to 30% off the fair market value are absolutely possible, making an REO purchase the best way to buy a property for the first time home buyer or property investor. |
