You’ve been hearing a lot lately about foreclosures, REOs and short sales.  There are conflicting reports about whether or not they can be good investments.  At Crestico Realty, we pride ourselves on giving you the most up-to-date information on making the best Real Estate decisions for yourself and your family’s future.  Buying a foreclosed home may not be for everybody, but keep reading and find out if it’s right for you.

Sometimes, foreclosed homes can be good investments, because often, they sell for less than market value. For a first-time homebuyer, the process may seem more complex and time-consuming but that’s why we, at Crestico Realty, are here to help!  A foreclosure is a property that is being “foreclosed” upon by a bank or some other lending institution. It is a legal process through which the homeowner’s rights are terminated, generally as a result of his/her failure to pay the mortgage.

One thing that is important when considering the purchase of a foreclosure, is where and how the home is being sold.   Often, real estate auctions are where foreclosures are sold because the lender is generally trying to sell the property as soon as possible.  At auctions, buyers are generally expected to pay for the house at the end of the auction, which means the financing must already be in place.  At Crestico, we work with a preferred lender to make sure that if you want to purchase your home from an auction, we have your financing ready to go.

However, in today’s market, auctions are not the only way to purchase foreclosures.  Many REO (real estate owned) companies purchase these foreclosures and list them for sale, essentially performing the function of a “homeowner” who does not live in the house.   When making an offer on such a home, it is still a great idea to have your financing in place, so that your offer (which will most likely NOT be the only one) will be easier to accept.

Buyers often ask, regarding foreclosures, “Will I be able to gain equity in an REO?”  The answer to this question is generally dependent on (1) the current value and (2) the sales price of the property.  If a buyer purchases a property for less than it is worth, there is automatic equity.  With foreclosures, and an experienced Crestico agent, you can have the peace of mind that we will find you the right foreclosure to purchase.

If you are interested in purchasing a foreclosed property, your Crestico agent will work to find you the best home!  Your Crestico agent has access to many services that track foreclosures in and neighborhood you are looking to move to, in California.  We stay on top of your search.  With foreclosures, you have to move quickly because the lucrative investments get snatched up quickly. 

For more information please visit www.crestico.com or call (818) 784-2929