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Bank owned Bargains...from the listing agent perspective.

By
Managing Real Estate Broker with Alpine Lakes Real Estate Inc., NHRE# 02863

Buyers Seeking Huge discounts on Listed bank owned properties...Take Notice.

Let me bust your bubble a bit, the price that the bank agreed to put on the property has been heavily discounted already. When we, as listing agents are asked to come up with a price we must justify how we arrived at our conclusion.        Here are some of the items we are asked to take into account:

  #1... Other current listings in the area that are comparable to the subject.

  #2...Other recent sales that are comparable and areas these may be inferior /superior to the subject.

  #3... Day on the Market, this will have an effect of how aggressive the bank may want to be in pricing.

  #4... Repairs to the property, and an estimate of the cost associated with making those repairs.

  #5... Over all supply of competing listings in the area (for general listings, short sales, & bank owned).

There are other subtle mitigating circumstances that can affect the price that the bank and listing broker arrives at to market the property for, but the above are certainly the main ones on our standard opinion of current market value forms.

Lets look at the 5 topics in a little more depth:

         Current Listings: What are we comparing the subject too, superior conditions, maintained properties, landscaped, paint, functional utility neighborhood setting, repairs, updates and current days on market.

         Recent sales: Same as the above, and original asking price compared to final selling price, gives much insight into what it took to sell a comparable property.

         Days on Market: the bank wants your best opinion of what it will take to sell in 30-60-90 and 120 days, this represents a sliding scale. As you may expect much of the activity occurs in the first 30 days of the listing. Further discounts can be expected if the property doesn't sell right away. But a good listing is one that goes shortly after it comes to market, so we want to sell fast and the bank wants to stop the bleeding (loss).

        Repairs: This may be subject to interpretation, and could offer some further discounting, we may not see the hidden defects until a home inspection , the first big rain, spring thaw or some-other environmental issue occurs that was not evident at the time of market opinion. But for the most part repairs are taken into account when pricing strategy is discussed.

       Supply: Just because the property is banked owned doesn't mean it is a bad property, the prior owner may have built the most extraordinary custom home on the best site in the world, and the bank will want to make it self as whole as possible. If there is an over supply of bank owned inventory in the neighborhood the price will be of course discounted to the point we feel it is competitive...but the bank has the final word.

And that is my final thought...the bank has the final word in the negotiation: When you as a buyer see great value in a property, and make an offer...we will be relying on the preset areas discussed above all the debating in the world will not get the bank to accept an offer that doesn't match the value they have (by committee) come up with. And remember the bank can wait for another buyer and sell to anyone, so don't go in thinking they have to take my offer. Go in Thinking I will have to accept their counter if I want this Property, and I'm willing to walk away if we don't have a meeting of the minds (all protesting after the fact is a waste of energy).

White Mountain Property Expert

 25 year Veteran New Hampshire

    

steve@alpinelakes.com - 800-926-5653 - www.alpinelakes.com

Activerain outside blog: www.yourskiingrealtor.com

  Localism Blog: http://localism.com/nh/lincoln

 

 

 

 

 

 

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                                                                                                                                                                              Your-White Mountain New Hampshire real Estate Expert

                    steve@alpinelakes.com toll free 800-926-5653 /cell 603-381-7898

                        MLS search and Realtor web site: www.alpinelakes.com

                         My outside Blog: www.steveswhitemountainblog.com

                    Lincoln NH &  Local interest site: www.localism.com/nh/lincoln

    Grafton County NH MLS search

The Rains Team
Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners - Hoschton, GA
A higher standard in real estate

Hi Steve: I think this is a great article...first-time home buyers especially would benefit from reading this because so many of them believe that their offer should be accepted by a bank just because it's a foreclosure. They get offended when their low-ball offer was rejected and they just walk away from the property looking for the next "steal." Instead they should realize that the home is probably already greatly discounted and they should be pleased they are buying a home this year and getting such a good value and an awesome interest rate and the $8,000 tax credit!!!

Have a great day,

Anne Rains

Apr 21, 2009 04:17 AM
Steve Loynd
Alpine Lakes Real Estate Inc., - Lincoln, NH
800-926-5653, White Mountains NH

Anne...I do think we have to be diligent in educating the buyers to the reality of a bank owned sale. The listing agent and bank has taken into account the defects, and market conditions, and are already offering the place at a pre-discounted price. Now that is not to say they will be completely firm, but a huge swing in value (based on a low offer) is not as likely as consumers are lead to believe. In other words this is already a good deal, if you want a better price look in a worse area...they will by definition have cheaper properties.

Apr 21, 2009 05:05 AM
Terry & Bonnie Westbrook
Westbrook Realty Broker-Owner - Grand Rapids, MI
Westbrook Realty - Grand Rapids Forest Hills MI Re

It sounds like we can get great bargains on Bank owned properties but with all the pitfalls that can be encountered having an expert assisting is invaluable.

Apr 21, 2009 05:37 AM
Steve Loynd
Alpine Lakes Real Estate Inc., - Lincoln, NH
800-926-5653, White Mountains NH

Terry... man you said it, and I'm afraid many buyers are listening to the no money down...how to buy foreclosure property seminars , which don't take into account that you are not going to get a better deal if the seller/ bank is not willing to give these properties aways...and secondly this buyer isn't the only buyer looking. Buyers can expect a good deal but not a give away...they can't do that in their business why would anyone else.

Apr 21, 2009 05:46 AM
Susan Mangigian
RE/MAX Preferred - West Chester, PA
Chester & Delaware County Homes, Delaware and Ches

Very true Steve and well done!

Apr 21, 2009 05:56 AM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

A very informative post.  I think the media gives the public a very unrealistic understanding of the bank owned/foreclosure market.  This post goes a long way in explaining what one can realistically expect.

Apr 21, 2009 07:30 AM
Steve Loynd
Alpine Lakes Real Estate Inc., - Lincoln, NH
800-926-5653, White Mountains NH

Thanks Susan... no sense in spinning our wheels on unproductive offers that will never fly, we might as well tell buyers that...bank owned doesn't mean 50% off. Steve

Apr 21, 2009 07:32 AM
Steve Loynd
Alpine Lakes Real Estate Inc., - Lincoln, NH
800-926-5653, White Mountains NH

Joan...there is nothing as frustrating as writing an offer that's not worth the paper it's printed on, sure take a shot at a better deal, but then decide if the property is the best thing you can buy right now, and then get real.

Apr 21, 2009 07:36 AM
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Steve...I just dropped a client because he said in NO WAY would he pay more than 50% of the list price for any foreclosure.  I don't have time for someone like that.  Even when I showed him the SOLDS for the 4 months and that NONE have sold more than 20% below.  He said that didn't matter.

Apr 21, 2009 10:12 AM
Steve Loynd
Alpine Lakes Real Estate Inc., - Lincoln, NH
800-926-5653, White Mountains NH

Bill...who has time to babysit unrealistic whiners, The listing agent does there best to get the bank in-line with the expected selling price once the listing hits the market, they have swallowed plenty of water, but allow themselves to drown for the sake of a buyer ain't happening. My Bank owned properties...simply say pass find a real buyer...next.

Apr 21, 2009 11:11 AM
Bill Somerset
Re/Max Realty Group - Dover, NH
ABR, e-PRO - Realtor - NH Real Estate Agent

Great post, very informative Steve.  Most people don't realize how much work has already gone into the pricing of a bank owned home.

Apr 22, 2009 12:08 AM
Steve Loynd
Alpine Lakes Real Estate Inc., - Lincoln, NH
800-926-5653, White Mountains NH

Bill...this is why I wrote this post in a public blog and put it in my Localism account, I'm not defending banks for past indiscretions I'm saying we Realtors have done our best to get realistic prices to list at. Now the buyers have to come in at reasonable offers or it's a waste of time. Thanks For the comment! Steve

Apr 22, 2009 01:30 AM
Teri Eckholm
Boardman Realty - White Bear Lake, MN
REALTOR Serving Mpls/St Paul North & East Metro

Steve--Good job explaining to the potential REO buyers out there that despite what they might think they know, they cannot just throw out a lowball number and expect the bank is going to jump on it. That is hardly ever the case. Good properties sell quickly. Often with multiple offers which drive the price over asking.

Apr 22, 2009 07:34 AM
Steve Loynd
Alpine Lakes Real Estate Inc., - Lincoln, NH
800-926-5653, White Mountains NH

Thanks Terry, a change in buyer's perspective is needed on these not for bargain properties.

Apr 22, 2009 08:08 AM