Real Estate Owned (REO)

What is ‘Real Estate Owned – REO’

Real estate owned, or REO, is the name given to foreclosed-upon real estate, such as detached houses, condominiums, townhomes and land, in a bank’s portfolio. Such properties end up in bank portfolios after unsuccessful sales at foreclosure auctions. A bank takes ownership of a foreclosed property when no bidder offers the amount it seeks to cover the loan. Next Up Non-REO Foreclosure Property Management Personal Property Property Tax

Explaining ‘Real Estate Owned – REO’

Banks may attempt to sell real estate-owned properties in their portfolios without the help of real estate agents. When this is the case, they list the properties on the banks’ website. A bank’s loan officers may notify customers looking for homes about the REO properties in its portfolio. A bank may also attempt to remove some of the liens and other expenses accumulated on the title by the former owner to make the house more attractive to buyers. Real estate investors buy REO properties as banks are not in the business of owning homes and, in some cases, they may sell REO properties at a discount to their market value.

REO Specialist Role

A bank’s REO specialist manages its REO properties. The REO specialist markets the properties, reviews any offers, prepares regular reports on the status of properties in the bank’s portfolio and tracks down deeds. He also works closely with the bank’s in-house or contracted property manager to ensure properties are secure and winterized when necessary. The REO specialist undertakes these job functions to help the bank liquidate its properties quickly and efficiently.

REO Properties and Real Estate Agents

To give REO properties the widest exposure, REO specialists often contract the services of local real estate agents to list the properties in the multiple listing service (MLS). Listing REO properties in the MLS ensures that interested real estate seekers using websites like Zillow, Realtor.com and Trulia, as well as local real estate websites, will see the listings. An REO property’s listing agent brings any offers he receives to the REO specialist. Real estate agents negotiate the commission they will receive for selling REO properties with the REO specialist.

Buying an REO Property

Banks typically sell REO properties as-is, meaning the buyer buys the home and all the problems along with it. For example, a homebuyer finds her ideal home, and it is an REO property. She decides to make an offer but chooses to have the home inspected first. The results of the home inspection show that there is a problem with the plumbing. Because the subject property is REO, the home inspector’s findings are for the prospective buyer’s information only; she can make an offer in spite of the findings, knowing that the bank most likely will not repair any deficiencies found by the home inspector. Buyers should also search public records to ensure that all liens have been paid to ensure a smooth closing.

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