Grab 'Em Fast - Buying REO Properties Before MLS Listing

p>There are great opportunities for investors in theor distressed condition. It will be in the MLS again
Denver real estate market today. Bank owned homesshortly.
and short sales are often discounted much lower than4. Property is not sellable due to a major problem.
well-maintained neighboring homes.These problems include:
Some Denver homebuyers want to find the elusive· Structural problems (settling foundation due to
"unlisted REO homes". Should you search forBentonite soil in the Denver area)
distressed homes that aren't on the market? And how· Hazmat issues such as evidence of a meth
do you find them?lab
There are five primary reasons why a Lender owned· Clouded title issues
property in Denver is not in the MLS. Each of these5. Ownership of REO is being transferred in bulk
reasons prevents the Lender from proceeding with anbetween lenders. Lenders won't pull one property out
MLS listing or a private sale:of a bulk transfer.
1. Lender has not yet obtained Public Trustee Deed toAsset managers list properties with a Realtor® as
the property. The Deed is issued a few weeks afterquickly as possible. Listing in the Denver MLS gives the
the Colorado foreclosure auction. In this interim period,Lender the broadest possible exposure, enabling the
a sale cannot take place.Lender to attract multiple interested parties. Asset
2. Lender is conducting post acquisition inspections,managers know open market competition results in the
which includes securing the property against priorhighest possible price given the property's condition and
owners, squatters and vandals. As soon as the lenderlocation.
completes the inspections and obtains a marketA knowledgeable Buyer's Agent will understand the
valuation, it will be assigned to a Realtor®. AssetREO process and will be able to guide you towards
managers will not deal directly with buyers, and theythe best purchase of a bank owned property in
will not sell a recent acquisition before a marketDenver. Then again, you might save thousands by
valuation has been performed.buying a traditional owner-occupied home that is in
3. Listing has expired and Lender is transferring theexcellent condition. It's always best to weigh the
listing to another Realtor®. Typically, there is oneout-of-pocket cost of repairing a distressed property
reason for the property's failure to sell during the initialwith the financed cost of purchasing a home in
listing period: It was overpriced given it's poor locationpremium condition.