So You Want To List Real Estate Owned Properties (REO): Do You REALLY!!!!!? Part 2

 Many Agents Have Asked The Question " Do I Have To Do Broker Price Opinions (BPO) " before they can get REO listings and the answer is Yes and many others have written about BPOs on ActiveRain so I will skip over that issue as this series is about the things required of the REO listing agent. The purpose of this series is to give agents a little insight and to help them decide if REO is for them.

 For This Series We Will Assume You Have Gotten On The Preferred Vendor list as a listing agent with a Default Management Company.On any given day at no particular time you as the REO listing agent will be contacted by one or more Asset Managers (AM) either by e-mail, text message and in some instances a phone call informing you that you have received an assignment and would you like to accept it. You Bet You want it. Kinda sounds like the Mission Impossible series and You are Mr. Phelps.

 Do You Like Knocking On The Door Of Strangers? The first thing the listing agent will be required to do with this assignment, it's not a listing yet so don't screw up, is to determine if anyone is living in the house and this is known as an Occupancy Check and the agent has 24 hours to complete this Task. This can be a dangerous situation as the occupant may be a disgruntled former owner who has lost their job, became ill and couldn't work or any other scenario and the listing agent is the only person they will come into contact with and You represent the Bank that TOOK their home.

 When You Go To The Property And Approach That Front Door it is a very anxious time and it's not for the faint of heart as your safety is at risk. Now if no one comes to the door you still must determine occupancy so one way is to check the electric meter and see if the house has power. Next you get to become a Peeking Tom and look into any window possible to see if there is furniture inside. Then it's off to the neighbors house and try and find out if they saw the people at your property moving out recently.

 If Occupancy Has Not Yet Been Determined You Will have to return to the property at various times of the day from Early morning to late evening until you make contact with the person living there or you know for sure the house is vacant but either way it must be done within 24 hours so at times your personal plans will be changed without notice but you are about to get a REO listing. An understanding spouse will make your life a lot easier as this business can affect Your Family.

 Question: Do You Enjoy Paying Utility Bills?

 For all of your real estate needs contact me at: cameron.wilson@century21.com