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Why Would Lenders Hold Back Tampa Foreclosures?

By
Real Estate Agent with Future Home Realty

It's in the news and has been for several months now; financial institutions may be holding back their inventory of Tampa foreclosures and national foreclosures. Why on earth would they do that?

For those of you who are wondering what would cause lenders to hold back on listing Tampa foreclosures, here's a little information that might enlighten:

  • April 2009, the San Francisco Chronicle published a news article about the state of foreclosed homes. In the article, Rick Sharga, vice president of RealtyTrac said, “We believe there are in the neighborhood of 600,000 properties nationwide that banks have repossessed but not put on the market.” With an already glutted market, imagine what would happen to real estate if those 600,000 foreclosed properties flooded the market further.
  • October 2009, CNN Money.com stated in an article, “Despite concerted government-led and lender-supported efforts to prevent foreclosures, the number of filings hit a record high in the third quarter, according to a report issued Thursday.” According to the report, one in every 136 homes – a staggering 937,840 homes - were in foreclosure.
  • Financial institutions know that the foreclosures could cause a severe drop in the average price of housing. Should prices fall farther, faster, lenders would not be able to recoup their losses.
  • Some may be holding a few properties back for a “rainy day” – for when the prices start to rise again.

Even though lending institutions are holding back on some of their inventory of Tampa foreclosures, there are still some great deals to be found.

If you'd like to find a great deal on a foreclosed or any home, I can help. Call me now at 813-469-3163 or email me at Jeff@MakeTampaYourHome.com for more information.

Kari Battaglia
Veterans Realty Inc - Venice, FL
Who You Work With Matters!

Jeff, Something to think about.  Thanks for the post.  Kari

Dec 09, 2009 10:19 PM
Harry F. D'Elia III
WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ
Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR

Very interesting facts to why they are holding back the homes. They continue to sell homes at the court house steps here at about 75% LTV or more.

Dec 09, 2009 10:36 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thanks for your remarks. The inventory of REO properties in our market has been decreasing. It is really hard to tell what the lenders are holding.

Dec 09, 2009 10:55 PM
Jeff Launiere
Future Home Realty - Tampa, FL
Jeff Launiere

I am finding the demand for REO homes in our area is high with multiple offers, but the demand for short sales seems to be declining. A year or two ago every buyer was looking for a short sale. Now it seems many have made offers on one or more and were rejected several months down the road, or they got tired of waiting and now are saying I want a good deal but I am not interested in short sales. I am finding that people are willing to pay extra to get into a house in 30 or 60 days rather than waiting.

Dec 09, 2009 11:07 PM
Alexandria Virginia
Featuring Susan Craft, CRS, REALTORĀ® - McEnearney Associates - Alexandria, VA
Real Estate Editor

Easy.  The do not have to mark-to-market, and they can carry non-performing assets at ridiculous values.  Fifth Third bank was carrying $600,000 lots at book, versus actually value of less and $20,000 a piece!!!!

Dec 09, 2009 11:26 PM
Eva Erdmann
Lion International Inc. - Holiday, FL
interior decorator

Hi Jeff,

A lot of this deals are under the investigation and it's going to take quite a while to clear a few issues,specially with all this foundations from outside of US sponsored by churches.

Zijuzijazijana

Jan 06, 2010 10:29 PM