I have never sold a Foreclosure, but I've had several Short sales (I'm usually successful at stopping foreclosures).
Does anyone know of the pitfalls of purchasing an actual Foreclosure? Doesn't the Buyer inherit all liens on the property, including the tax liens?
How about inspections? Doesn't the Buyer buy "as is", no inspections, no contingencies?
If you have bought or sold a foreclosure, and/or have facilitated one, could you please share your experience?
I'm getting pretty good at short sales, with the help of a short sales facilitator. I found a good one; a rep that actually had a foreclosure herself in the 90's and has been sensitized to that horrible experience. Her performance is outstanding, because she actually WORKS her case load like a "dog with a bone", and gets these short sales through. We're seeing discounts of 10-45% on these. I share my listing commission with the facilitator, but the job gets done, my clients are able to move on with their lives. My father, who had a PhD. in Economics, and was a savvy business man always said: "Mirela, it's better to make 5% of something, than 100% of nothing!"
Please share your experience with foreclosures!
Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection, Mirela Monte
http://www.myrtlebeachhomes.us/



Mirela, post this in the foreclosures group or check out the group and PM some of the members that work in foreclosures. It might be too late now that I read your last comment..
http://activerain.com/groups/ForeclosureFocusUSA
Hope this catches you in time. Purchasing foreclosures is usually pretty easy. My market is about 70% foreclosures right now - we're the #1 area in California for REO's. Most agents here won't even mess with short sales because of the delays and bank recalcitrance - we just wait 2 or 3 months until it goes back to the bank and buy it from them.
Yes you do buy as-is but that doesn't mean no inspections or contingencies. The buyer always has the right to inspection and if they uncover anything they don't like they can bail. As-is simply means you agree to take the property like you find it, dead lawn and all so you better know what as-is-is so you don't get any nasty surprises.
Further, the property (a least in California) is free and clear of any prior liens and encumbrances. The seller/lender pays everything current to COE just as in a normal sale. The main difference is the lack of disclosure. Again in Cali we have extensive disclosures since we don't have attorneys as part of the transaction and a lender is not required to fill those out since they have no actual knowledge of the property - so again, the burden shifts to the buyer to determine if the tax rate is agreeable, is there an HOA, death on the property, corners marked, septic or well considerations, etc. Due diligence stuff.
Out here the banks are usually easy to deal with since they want to get rid of that inventory. They'll frequently help w/closing costs, adhere very closely to a COE timeframe etc. They will demand you use their contracted escrow and title agents but they typically pay 3% commission to the buyers agent so all in all, a pretty easy transaction. Good luck.
By the way, I'll be happy to talk to you about sending an occasional missive to your company site. EM me. Thanks
Mirela- just email me or call me next time. It depends on the state and it has been awile since I took back a property in South Carolina.
I can give you the run down as far as NY goes.
All liens are extinguished by the foreclosure unless the liens we places on the property before the foreclosing parties liens- In S.C. this is also the case.
All taxes are paid current by the foreclosing party when they transfer the deed. - Check this out in S.C.
No disclosure in NY
Buildings are bought as is, no c/o inspections allowed. So a buyer may purchase with open violations.
There is also a big difference if your clients is buying a foreclosure or an REO, they are not the same. Reo's are safer, foreclosures may be cheaper but have more risk. Email me for my im address
Dear Jeffrey,
As usual, you are a wealth of informatin on this subject. Thank you so much for your input!
I did not understand the following:
"All liens are extinguished by the foreclosure unless the liens we places on the property before the foreclosing parties liens- In S.C. this is also the case."
If you have a moment, could you elaborate?
I am excited about the website! I will check it out shortly. I have not had a chance to AR; I've been putting in some grueling hours this week, with not time for lunch or dinner, or anything else. We have a lot of activity at the beach right now.
Again, thank you Jeffrey!
Sarah and Stella,
Thank you for your input!
Liens have positions on the title to property, 1st, 2nd, 3rd etc. A 2nd mortgage lien holder can foreclose on a property but their foreclosure action is subject to the lien of the 1st lienholder. So if someone where to buy the home at the auction they would still have to pay off the 1st mortgage lienholder.
Conversely if a 2nd lienholder where to foreclose on a property with 3 or more mortgage liens then every lien, mortgage or not, with the exception of taxes recorded of record on the property after the date of 2nd mortgage would be exstinguished by the foreclosure action of the second mortgage holder.
So when a 1st postion mortgage holder forecloses they extinguish all liens that are subsquent to them with the exception of taxes.
Need more detail email me for my instant messanger id
Thank you, Jeffrey!
I think you should write a book about shortsales, foreclosurea and REO's. I'll buy it!
Great comments. Each situation is different. Just sold a Freddie Mac listing that had been totaled remodeled. That was an easy sale. Working on another deal now .and the bank turned down a full price offer. The listing agent says that the bank wants an offer as is, with no contigencies, not even an inspection right. My buyer has re-submitted and offer, without inspection, but signnificantly lowered the offer price.
And you never know what to expect, I was previewing a bank owned in a nice, upscale neighborhood, and there were rats in the attic!
Has anybody had de-winterization issues?
SO IF THE HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATION FILES A LIEN 1ST AND THERE ARE NO LATE MORTGAGE PAYMENTS AND TAXES HAVE BEEN PAID,..THEN THE PURCHASER OF THE HOA FORECLOING IS OR IS NOT RESONSIBLE FOR THE MORTGAGE ?
I know of one major issue, the deed. You cannot obtain a Full Warrenty Deed only a special or limited deed. I understand that and IRS lien could show up five years after the purchase. I have tried to get as much information on the deed issue with foreclosures as possible....I keep getting refer to an attorney. So that is what I do, I advise multiple times that my buyers consult with a Real Estate Attorney when purchasing a foreclosure. In Florida most people do not use attorneys.