What Exactly is Shadow Inventory in the Las Vegas Real Estate Market? Shadow Inventory has been a HUGE boogeyman in the Las Vegas Real Estate Market. Experts wring their hands and have been telling us for YEARS how we are just going to get a bunch of Las Vegas REOhomes for sale just dumped on us overnight. I actually feel bad for those that parrot what they hear on the news and pretend that they know what they are talking about. Some people’s perception of REO shadow inventory is that banks just sit there and hold on to properties that have already been through the foreclosure process. This could be further from the truth. Banks (or servicers to lienholders/investors) DO NOT want to hold on to inventory or assets longer than they have to. They want to get this stuff off their books & quickly! There are many things that hold up the process to get them listed by a real estate agent on the free market such as bankruptcy, tenants, unwilling occupants, trash outs and even property rehab. Once those items are taken care of, the home is listed or sold to investors in bulk packages. Another way shadow inventory is presented is how many homes are in default or at risk of default. Unfortunately this is not a good indicator for “the big dump” because many real estate market forces will absorb that inventory: the homeowner could accept a loan modification, the homeowner could short sale the home successfully or an investor could purchase the home at the trustee sale or foreclosure auction and either rehab and resell or rehab and rent out for a long term hold. Las Vegas Foreclosures will be around for awhile – I am not doubting that. The only thing I doubt is that the shadow inventory fairy dumps an abundance of inventory on us one day. I have been hearing about this for two years, I am sure I will be hearing about it for the next two years. The only way we will see an abundance of inventory GROW is if all the Las Vegas Buyers decided to leave the building all at once. Doubtful – but I have been wrong before.
Real Living / Home Realty - Owensboro, KY
Owensboro KY Real Estate -270-903-2167 Homes, Cond
Renee,
The people who have come up with this Shadow Inventory theory must be in charge of the short sales too! Maybe one day they will all come on over to the real world with the rest of us!
Jan 24, 2011 09:55 AM
Keller Williams Southern Az - Tucson, AZ
Integrity, Honesty, and Vast Real Estate Knowledge
Shadow inventory is a big problem and will be for several years in our market also. the Banks only want to release a little at a time so they don't implode n already bad situation. In spent 33 years on that side and I undestand what they are dealing with. It will be with us in certain markets fo a long time. So dig in and work what you can and survive for better times.
Jan 24, 2011 10:43 AM
Homes By Cross, Inc. - Charlotte, NC
Charlotte NC Homes For Sale
Renee - Me and My Shadow are unafraid of the doom that is "deemed" upon us. I am more worried about Polar Bears that Shadow Markets. Perhaps I'll chill out and get ready for the spring market. The spread from Vegas is that we will have a good year. I'm betting on it
Jan 24, 2011 11:34 AM
WealthPoint Realty - Atlanta, GA
Renee:
These properties know in the industry as "shadow inventory" may be a proverbial time bomb for the real estate market. For example, what would happen if all of a sudden these inventories flooded the marketplace. The disaster would result in further depreciation sparked by the existing glut of foreclosures in the marketplace. So what is the real logic for the banks holding on to all these distressed properties?
First, and probably the most obvious is that the banks are slow to move this inventory because they would have to reflect the losses on their books. Having to reflect these loses on their balance sheets would put further stress on the banks.
Secondarily, banks may be holding inventory to allow for a slower free-fall of prices. Market recovery may also bring about increasing assets! Still another variable (as you mentioned) may be that it just takes a good deal of time and money to get a foreclosure cleaned up and ready to be marketed.
Jan 24, 2011 12:13 PM
West USA Realty - Phoenix, AZ
Realtors, Homes for Sale - Phoenix Metro
Most of the homes I watch have come on the market, but I do believe that they have inventory that they may have to hold for various reasons.
Jan 24, 2011 12:28 PM
eXp Realty of California Silicon Valley Probate, Trust, and Investment Sales - Mountain View, CA
Probate, Trust, and Investment Specialist
I don't claim to have an secret knowledge but I agree that it is unlikely all this "shadow" inventory will suddenly come the market this year.
Jan 24, 2011 12:45 PM
First Choice Realty, Inc - Chesterfield, VA
A Realtor® Who Answers His Phone!
I ask a friend of mine, who happened to be a reporter, why papers and TV only report the "bad" stuff? His answer was, "Blood Sells!!" Like it or not, he was right. Just look to your left or right the next time you are in the checkout line at the grocery. The rags don't tell the AHHHH stories.....they tell the OHHHHH stories!
Jan 24, 2011 02:06 PM
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M
I know many buyers who are hoping to have the "shadow inventory" hit the market and bring down prices. It hasn't happened yet.
Jan 24, 2011 03:27 PM
Your complete source for buying HUD homes - Littleton, CO
HUD Home Hub - 303-949-5848
I wonder what will happen first. Earth being hit by a comet or all the homes coming out on the same day. It's the boogeyman in the closet. I work with investors so I deal with this a lot. Two years ago people were worried about this so they didn't buy. I could of sold them houses for 80K that rent for $1,200 a month. Today those homes are now going for 120K.
LOL. Maybe they'll drop to 80K when the inventory hits. No freaking way - morons.
Jan 24, 2011 04:37 PM
Adan Properties, Carlsbad, CA (760) 720-9710 - Carlsbad, CA
Carlsbad Real Estate
Shack Diva,
You are right! And, investors are buying bulk from the banks and doling them out at their appointed time.
Jan 24, 2011 04:49 PM
Dagny's Real Estate - Wilton, CT
Fairfield County CT, CDPE Homes For Sale and Condo
Renee - Love this post! You are very right about the way statistics are skewed everywhere, and exaggeration on facts is pretty rampant....
Jan 24, 2011 11:28 PM
CREST "BACKYARD' HOMES, ON THE LEVEL General & Manufactured Home Contractor, TAG Real Estate Sales & Investments - Leucadia, CA
Crest Backyard Homes "ADU" dealer & RE Developer
Interesting. I hope your right about the big dump. If you're not there could be another decline one day when the industry least expects it and values could drop accordingly. I don't see a dramatic decline in value but even 10 percent could put a dent in our recovery. Good for the turn and burn short sale flippers bad for buy and hold homeowners desiring to purchase a home to live in.
Jan 25, 2011 02:43 AM
REALTOR® - New Port Richey, FL
hmmm, very interesting Renee
I had always thought shadow inventory were homes that were behind on their payments but not yet in foreclosure.
Jan 25, 2011 09:19 AM
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital
Renee, reading this post and the many comments is a wonderful education for all of us.
Jan 25, 2011 01:16 PM
RE/MAX Diamond, Realtors - Edison, NJ
Good information. I am going to Reblog this because we are very down on the banks in NJ. We can't seem to get any action from them no matter what favorability there is.
Katie the Real Estate Lady
Kate Reilly Lund
http:www/kreillylund.remax-nj.com
Jan 26, 2011 05:50 AM
RE/MAX Diamond, Realtors - Edison, NJ
Good information. I am going to Reblog this because we are very down on the banks in NJ. We can't seem to get any action from them no matter what favorability there is.
Katie the Real Estate Lady
Kate Reilly Lund
http:www/kreillylund.remax-nj.com
Jan 26, 2011 05:50 AM
RE/MAX EXECUTIVE - Cornelius, NC
Search Lake Norman Homes For Sale - Lake Norman NC
I don't believe that banks are holding inventory, but I do believe in hundreds of thousands of homeowners are currently in 90 day default and that is scary!!
Jan 26, 2011 07:47 AM
RE/MAX TOWN AND COUNTRY - Cumming, GA
HUD NLB Cumming GA
BANKS hold inventory because they still get their guaranteed payoff at the end and YES they are working it!
Mar 01, 2011 02:33 AM
Rainmaker
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