Looking for REO property or a foreclosure in Clovis?

Just as with any home purchase, your smartest move is to hire a professional real estate agent. If you have any questions about real estate in Clovis, California, call me or send me an e-mail.

What's an REO?

"REO" or Real Estate Owned are properties which have gone through foreclosure and are presently held by the bank or mortgage company. This differs from a property up for foreclosure auction. American Dream Realty and Financial has experience to share with foreclosures and bank owned properties in Clovis, California

When buying a property during a foreclosure sale, you must pay at least the loan balance plus any interest and other fees accrued during the foreclosure process. You must also be ready to pay with cash in hand. And on top of all that, you'll receive the property entirely as is. That may include current liens and even current denizens that need to be kicked out.

A bank-owned property, on the other hand, is a much neater and attractive transaction. The REO property did not find a buyer during foreclosure auction. Now the bank owns it. The lender will deal with the elimination of tax liens, evict occupants if needed and generally organize for the issuance of a title insurance policy to the buyer at closing.

Note that REOs may be exempt from standard disclosure requirements. In California, for example, banks do not have to give a Transfer Disclosure Statement, a document that usually requires sellers to disclose any defects of which they are aware. By hiring American Dream Realty and Financial, you can rest assured knowing all parties are fulfilling California state disclosure requirements.

Are REO properties a bargain in Clovis?

It is frequently believed that any REO must be a steal and a chance for guaranteed profit. This often isn't true. You have to be prudent about buying a REO if your intent is to make a profit. While it's true that the bank is usually eager to sell it promptly, they are also motivated to minimize any losses.

American Dream Realty and Financial has experience to share with foreclosures and bank owned properties in Clovis, California Look carefully at the listing and sales prices of similar homes in the neighborhood when making an offer on an REO. And factor in any repairs or upgrades necessary to prepare the house for resale or moving in. There are bargains with potential to make money, and many people do very well buying foreclosures. Still, there are also many REOs that are not good buys and may not be money makers.

Ready to make an offer?

Most lenders have a department dedicated to REO that you'll work with when buying REO property from them. Typically the REO department will use a listing agent to get their REO properties listed on the local MLS.

Before making your offer, you'll want to contact either the listing agent or REO department at the bank and find out as much as you can about their knowledge about the condition of the property and what their process is for accepting offers. Since banks typically sell REO properties "as is", you may want to include an inspection contingency in your offer that gives you time to check for unseen damage and cancel the offer if you find it. If, as a buyer, you can provide documentation demonstrating your ability to secure financing, such as a pre-approval letter from a lender, your offer will be more attractive and likely be accepted. (This holds for any type of real estate offer.)

After you've submitted your offer, you can expect the bank to make a counter offer. Then it will be your choice whether to accept their counter, or offer a counter to the counter offer. Understand, you'll be contending with a process that probably involves several people at the bank, and they don't work evenings or weekends. It's not unusual for the process of offers and counter offers to take days or even weeks. American Dream Realty and Financial is accustomed to these situations and will work to ensure there are no undue delays.