What To Know Before Bidding On A Foreclosed Home

By John Dashwood

The recent economic crisis has caused a record number of foreclosures. Houses are up for auction all over the United States. At foreclosure auctions, houses may sell at a fraction of their market value. Bidding at a foreclosure auction may not be the answer for everyone looking for a home. Many auctions require a large cash payment at the time of purchase. You generally can't get a mortgage prior to an auction because your bid might not win.

People who have excellent credit and enough savings for a down payment can save money by buying a foreclosure. In some cases, the lender may set a minimum bid to cover the loan or other expenses. There may be past due taxes or other liens on the property. Title searches which are required for normal real estate sales may not apply to foreclosures.

For starters, check bank listings of foreclosed properties and participate in foreclosure auctions. You can try online tools that will help you search for cheap foreclosed homes in the different parts of the country. Currently foreclosed properties are cheapest in Cleveland and foreclosed rundown houses are being sold dirt cheap.

Owners of these houses would rather unload these rather than bother to repair their homes and spend $15,000 or $20,000, and they don't want to deal with expensive property taxes. If you got a grand and some $30,000 you can get yourself a nice house after the repairs. If this is not your idea, you can get better foreclosed homes with a mortgage or a refinance after making a deal with the homeowner who is facing foreclosure.

Homeowners of soon-to-be foreclosed homes are frantic to sell the property 30 days before the property is foreclosed. With so little time to dispose the house, their only option is to sell their home at a loss but still walk away with enough to begin a new life somewhere, also a cheaper house. But dealing with these homeowners requires some skill on your part to get a good bargain.

On the other end, buying foreclosed homes in a public auction is entirely different from dealing with the beleaguered homeowner. During an auction, the lender yields to the highest bid and if you have won the bid, be prepared with the cash equivalent of ten percent of the winning bid amount and present proof of financing. During the bidding you are buying the house as is. If it needs repairs or a major overhaul, you have no option but to spend more money house improvement.

In the United States, lenders have the right to evict delinquent homeowners and in most cases the eviction is accomplished before the home is auctioned. The local sheriff's department will escort the homeowner off the property if he doesn't leave on request. Tenants can be more of a problem and the law varies between jurisdiction on the eviction of tenants in a foreclosed property. Some disgruntled homeowners may damage the home before they leave.

If you have enough money to make a ten percent down payment on a home and you are able to arrange for financing on a foreclosure, the auction may save you thousands of dollars. Keep in mind the rules and don't exceed your bidding limits. Auctions can also be fun, but don't be disappointed if you are unable to make the highest bid. You'll have more opportunities.

About the Author:

Powered by Blogger