Special offer

Tips for making an offer on foreclosures, short sales, and REO properties

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Richard Weisser Realty

If there is one absolute truth in life, it is that when given a choice, people will always choose that path of least resistance. It is human nature and unavoidable. And it should be an important consideration when you are making an offer on a short-sale, foreclosure, or REO property. People that work in institutions that are responsible for disposing of these inventories are like everyone else ... they have a lot of work to do and they do not like complications. So when making an offer on these properties, keep it simple.

1) Have the least amount of contingencies. Have your financing in place and make your offer all cash, or pay all cash and take a loan after closing. Do not make your offer conditioned on appraisal, study the market and price your offer accordingly.

2) Close as quickly as possible. Cash strapped financial institutions will always consider short time frames as advantageous.

3) Purchase "as-is, where-is" and base your bid accordingly. If you are unable to properly inspect a system or mechanical item, assume it is defective.

4) Never ask for closing costs or other items to be paid by the seller, figure those into your offer.

Here's where the human nature comes into play. What could be easier for the individual working at the bank than bottom-lining the offer price as the net price, and not have to follow up with inspections or appraisals, and get it off their desk quickly. Your offer will move to the top of the pile, with an excellent chance of success. Remember, an foreclosure or REO purchase is a simple business transaction, so keep the emotion out of it and you will succeed on your bids more often than not!

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Dave Woodson
Dave Woodson - Chesterton, IN
Not the Average Agent

Very good points thanks for sharing.  I am going to pass this along to several of my Realtor Referral Partners.

Dave Woodson

www.indigofg.com & www.uwinfin.com

 

Feb 23, 2008 01:13 AM
Kim Sellers
Lake Arrowhead, CA Coldwell Banker - Lake Arrowhead, CA
Lake Arrowhead Realtor - BRE#01412099 - Lake Arrow

Thanks for this article.  Very helpful.  I like the tips, obvious points, but good reminders.  With more and more of these properties out there, we are all going to have to face an offer like this.

 Kim Kelley

Feb 23, 2008 01:16 AM
Marzena Melby
Coldwell Banker Burnet Realty - Richfield, MN
Realtor, Twin Cities Minnesota Real Estate
Hi Richard - good points, thanks for writing this post.  The only comment that I would make is that, in my experience, standard amount of closing costs (like 3%) is not a problem to ask for.  But, the stronger the buyer financially and the shorter the close time, the easier it is to get it through, and the easier it is the price (or close to it) you are asking for.
Feb 23, 2008 01:42 AM
Gary Love
Gary Love & RealtySouth - Birmingham, AL

Great Points, Good Blog

                Gary Love

Feb 23, 2008 01:56 AM
Anonymous
Anonymous

This is terrible advice. Your tips are ONLY useful in a "hot" real estate market. With the current disasterous market, most buyers aren't fighting to have their offer moved to the top of any pile. Following your advice in this market would mean accepting undue risk by purchasing as-is when unneccesary to do so, and paying more for a house that the bank is likely to let you take with a mortgage and several concessions besides. Wake up and read the newspaper.

Jan 03, 2009 11:55 PM
#5
Richard Weisser
Richard Weisser Realty - Newnan, GA
Richard Weisser Retired Real Estate Professional

If you bothered to check the date of this post, you would have noticed that it is nearly a year old ...

Also, you would have noticed that I said "If you are unable to properly inspect" not "Do not inspect"

Try reading the post before you jump to erroneous conclusions.

Jan 04, 2009 12:07 AM
Marty and Laurie Gale
Utah Realty - South Jordan, UT
Utah Realty | 801-205-3500 | UtahRealtyPlace.com

Great Article. Thanks for the Information. It should help my Real Estate Business in Utah!

May 08, 2010 02:52 AM