The benefits to buying in a high-foreclosure area? Team Thayer #realestate #realestatenews #foreclosure #housingmarket #news #housing #realestate
Affordability
Banks generally don’t want to hold on to REOs for too long — each month that goes by means another month of taxes, maintenance, and other costs they have to cover. Because they’re eager to unload the property, they may offer a significant discount (which means smaller mortgage payments for you!).
Likewise, if a neighborhood is filled with discounted houses, then surrounding properties will also sell at a lower price — even if that specific property isn’t a foreclosure.
Options
You can find foreclosure properties at a variety of price points, from tiny bungalows to sprawling luxury homes, so whatever your current budget, there’s a good chance you can snag a deal on a foreclosure.
Value appreciation
If you buy a foreclosure that’s a little rough around the edges, you can make repairs and upgrades that will add to its value. When it comes time to sell, you could price the home for considerably more than you paid for it.
And there are benefits even if you buy a home that wasn’t a foreclosure but located in a high-foreclosure area. Once other buyers snap up the remaining foreclosure inventory in your area, you may still experience significant price appreciation.
Give back
Foreclosures bring down the overall value of the whole community. When you buy one of these homes and put in the work to improve it, you’re adding stability to the community and participating in neighborhood recovery. If others are also dedicated to improvement, you could find yourself in a close-knit, active community that’s on the upswing.
What are the drawbacks?
Steep competition
Since they’re priced so low, foreclosures can get snapped up quickly. Be prepared to act fast and possibly face a bidding war.
Costly repairs
Many foreclosures are sold as-is, and repair costs could seriously negate any savings you’d receive. The previous owner may not have been able to afford basic maintenance and upkeep, or might have intentionally trashed the home upon move-out. If the home has been empty for a while, it could have suffered a burst pipe, mold growth, or pest infestation. Empty homes are also prime targets for looting and vandalism.
Neighborhood instability
Communities with a large amount of foreclosed properties often suffer other issues like higher crime rates, which may make the home not the right investment for you.
Hidden costs
If there’s a lien on a foreclosed property, you could find yourself paying off the previous owners’ debts. If the previous owners haven’t left, you also could have to pay for eviction proceedings.
Time and frustration
Buying an REO can be a time-consuming and frustrating process, with lots of paperwork to fill out and red tape to cut through.
Slow to appreciate
While you may make capital improvements to the home, that doesn’t necessarily mean its value will appreciate. Foreclosures can weigh down overall market values in a neighborhood, so buying in a high-foreclosure area means your home could take longer to appreciate (even if your house isn’t a foreclosed property).
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| Justin Lee Thayer 541 543 7287 |