Pros and Cons of Buying Repossessed Properties

 Oct 15, 2020

LaTasha Beal

Buying a house can be incredibly exciting and terrifying at the same time, especially if it’s your first or second home. For a lot of buyers today, the idea of getting a killer deal is the ultimate goal, one that you may have heard is possible with a bank-repossessed property (also known as a “real estate owned” property or simply “REO”). Real estate prices are only going up, after all, so what’s the scoop on these REOs?

Can You Get a Deal on Repossessed Properties?

It’s a tricky question with a lot of caveats. In some markets, it will almost certainly be easier to take advantage of REOs to find lower entry price points. Other markets may not offer a lot of financial benefit to the buyer. When market inventory is low in the property type and area you’re shopping for, prices will tend to trend higher, even for repossessed properties.

On the other hand, if you’re pretty flexible and aren’t overly concerned about neighborhoods, an area with a lot more inventory can be a difficult place for a seller, creating a super local buyer’s market. Even banks are sensitive to these pressures, and since they can be more flexible about their pricing, may discount REOs more sharply in order to unload them.

What Should You Know Before Making an Offer on Repos?

If you manage to find a steeply discounted property that you’re interested in, there’s still a lot to consider before making an offer. The caveats with repos are many, but they can still work for buyers who go into the transaction with their eyes wide open.

Be aware that:

• REOs are almost exclusively sold “as is”. Yes, that means you get what you get, and since there’s unlikely to be a good history, it may be a lot worse than you imagine. You could get lucky and totally win the REO lottery, but remember that many repossessed properties have been sitting vacant for extended periods with little to no maintenance or human interaction, which can encourage insect and animal infestations on top of problems you’ve been made aware of.
• Always get a home inspection with an REO. In most areas you can still back out of the transaction if the condition of the home is worse than you imagined, though be aware that these inspections are limited in scope, and surprises may still be hiding. Sold “as is” means just that, though. Banks aren’t generally interested in fixing anything, so if your inspector says the A/C is bad and the roof is leaking, you’ll need to figure that into your overall cost equation.
• REOs can be very competitive. Investors often really like buying REOs, which means you’re going to be competing against other buyers who have a lot of cash on hand. Cash deals close faster and there’s less risk they’ll fail to close because of lending issues, which makes them pretty nice for a seller. A good REO is likely to be a competitive buy, so be fully prepared, fully qualified for your loan, and ready to make your highest and best offer out of the gate. You may only get one shot.
• REOs can be difficult to finance. Some REOs and lending programs are meant to go to future homeowners, but most are not especially friendly to non-investor buyers. You’ll need a substantial down payment, high credit score, solid debt to income ratio, and reliable employment for a bank to take that level of risk on a home that may become a money pit. It can absolutely be done, but this is far from a basic first time homebuyer sort of process. Loans like the FHA 203(k) can sometimes be used, as well as conventional loans, depending on the condition of the property.
• REOs can be difficult to close. If you have to borrow to buy an REO, expect the process to take months. Even if you don’t have to borrow, there are layers of red tape to cut through, because you’re dealing with a corporate owner rather than an individual. Allow plenty of time to get through all the steps of the process and be prepared to have to pivot into a different loan program if things get dicey.

• Should I Buy a Repossessed Home?

  If you’ve thoroughly prepared yourself for owning a home with a poorly documented history and a higher than normal risk of unexpected problems, as well as the stressful buying process that can go with it all, then absolutely buy the REO if it’s right for you. Sometimes REOs are the only way to get into the right neighborhoods or even find a home in your budget, so there are definitely reasons to pull that trigger.

  Once you’ve closed, though, you’ll probably need a lot of expert help. Don’t forget to lean into your HomeKeepr community. Not only can you access all the best home pros in your area, they’re right at your fingertips, day or night. It’s the perfect place to be if you want to buy a project home!