What You Need to Know If You’re Buying a Foreclosure

Buying A Foreclosure, What You Need To Know

You’ve probably seen the stories and ads—foreclosed houses and condos selling for pennies on the dollar—and there’s no question banks are willing to sell their REOs (real estate owned properties) at sizable discounts.

But foreclosures almost always come with complications that smart shoppers need to know about in advance.

Here’s what you need to know before you dive into this niche market of buying a foreclosure.

Know What to Expect From a Foreclosure

A foreclosure probably won’t be in pristine condition when you buy it. Foreclosure proceedings often take months (more than a year in some states) before the owners are evicted from the property.

During that time, the house is in legal limbo. The occupants have little incentive to maintain it or make repairs, and the property inevitably deteriorates. In some cases, the foreclosed borrowers vent their frustrations with the bank on the house: ripping out cabinets and fixtures, punching holes in walls and even damaging heating/air conditioning systems.

After the eviction, foreclosed houses then frequently sit empty for months while the bank decides how to resell and for how much. Sometimes the bank may perform basic repairs, but often, the house is in a rundown condition when it is finally offered for sale.

Get Pre-Qualified Before Buying a Foreclosed Property

The first step is to get pre-qualified by a mortgage lender. Foreclosures are usually great deals, and they get gobbled up very quickly.

Don’t wait to apply for financing approval, which takes at least a week or two to obtain. Make sure you have enough to cover the down payment once you find a foreclosure—and that you can cover inspections, insurance, pest control and any other unforeseen expenses that may come up.

Get Professional Help With Buying a Foreclosure

Most banks hire real estate agents to list and market their foreclosures. They represent the bank in all negotiations, not you.

To ensure that you have adequate representation, have a REALTOR® who specializes in the area serve as your buyer’s agent and to advise you on key issues: pricing, local zoning issues or state law constraints that could seriously affect your purchase. For example, some states have mandatory “redemption” periods in which foreclosed families have the opportunity to reacquire their homes.

A buyer’s agent can also help you check the local public records to determine whether there are any recorded liens against the property you are considering. These might include liens for unpaid taxes, repair bills or homeowner’s association dues: If you purchase the home, you will have to pay off any outstanding liens.

Final Steps Before Buying a Foreclosed Property

Once you’ve found a home, bring in a building inspector and a contractor to give you a good idea of what needs to be done and the approximate cost of the work. A report of the property’s condition will be submitted to the lender before the loan is made.

As a potential buyer, you need to ask yourself these questions:

  • Am I prepared to invest the money and time needed to bring this house back to a habitable condition? Do I know all the problems the house presents?
  • If the utilities have been turned off for months, do I know what works in the house?
  • Have I been given enough time to get the house professionally inspected so that I have detailed knowledge of how badly off the property may be?

If you decide you’re ready to make an offer, work with a REALTOR® to negotiate a good deal. Many lenders are willing to offer lower down payments, repair reimbursements and other incentives for the right buyer.

Original article: http://www.realtor.com/advice/what-need-know-buying-a-foreclosure/

Lake Norman Foreclosure Real Estate Market Update August 2014

Lake Norman Foreclosure Market Update

Lake Norman Foreclosure Homes
At the end of August 2014 there were 12 Lake Norman foreclosures & short-sale properties listed in the Lake Norman MLS area, a 70.7% decrease from the 41 foreclosure & short-sale properties for sale in August 2013.

1 Lake Norman foreclosures/short sale homes closed in August 2014. This was a decrease of 80% from the 5 Lake Norman foreclosures and short-sales sold in August 2013. The average Lake Norman foreclosure sale price was $275,000. The average sales price increased 16.3% from the August 2013 average sale price of $236,384. The average days on the market were 482, a 404 day decrease from August 2013.

1 Lake Norman foreclosure and short sale home is currently under contract, 8.3% of the available Lake Norman foreclosure homes for sale.

View all the Lake Norman foreclosures, preforeclosures and short sales.

Lake Norman Foreclosure Condos & Townhomes
At the end of August 2014 there were 0 Lake Norman foreclosure & short-sale condos/townhomes listed in the Lake Norman MLS area, a 100% decrease from the 1 foreclosure & short-sale condo listed for sale in August 2013.

Zero Lake Norman foreclosure or short-sale condos/townhomes sold in August 2014. This was an decrease of 100% from the one foreclosure or short-sale condos sold in August 2013. The average sales price in August 2013 was $70,000. Zero foreclosure/short-sale condo units are currently under contract, down 100% from one Lake Norman condo under contract in August 2013.

View all the Lake Norman condo foreclosures, preforeclosures and short sales for sale.

If you need help stopping foreclosure on your Lake Norman property please give us a call at 866-LakeNorman.

Lake Norman Foreclosure Condos For Sale

Lake Norman Foreclosure Condos For Sale

Lake Norman foreclosure real estate listings. Foreclosure condos for sale in Lake Norman NC. Lake Norman foreclosure properties for sale. Foreclosure condos in Mooresville, Davidson, Cornelius, Denver, Statesville & Sherrills Ford NC. Updated nightly with new Lake Norman foreclosures.

Properties listed below are either in the foreclosure process, a foreclosure, a HUD home, bank owned home, bankruptcy, court approved, relocation or short sale.

Lake Norman Foreclosure & Short Sale Condos

Listings 1 - 2 of 2

Price: $309,000
7510 Woods Lane, Cornelius, NC 28031
Subdivision: Wood Duck Cove
2 BR, 2 BA, 1024 sqft
First United Realty & | MLS # 4106075 | Contract
Price: $260,000
521 Mallard Head Lane, Mooresville, NC 28117
Complex: Mallard Head Condos
2 BR, 2 BA, 1238 sqft
EXP Realty LLC | MLS # 4114815 | Active

Listings 1 - 2 of 2

Lake Norman Waterfront Foreclosure Homes For Sale

Lake Norman Waterfront Foreclosures & Short Sales

Lake Norman waterfront foreclosure real estate listings. Waterfront foreclosure homes for sale in Lake Norman NC. Lake Norman waterfront foreclosure properties for sale. Updated nightly with new Lake Norman waterfront foreclosures.

Properties listed below are either in the foreclosure process, a foreclosure, a HUD home, bank owned home, a short sale, need court approval, in the foreclosure process, a bankruptcy case, a relocation company property or an estate.

Lake Norman Waterfront Foreclosures & Short Sales

Listings 1 - 7 of 7

Price: $3,750,000
18001 Whispering Oaks Drive, Cornelius, NC 28031
Subdivision: Point Largo
5 BR, 6.1 BA, 5527 sqft
Southern Charm Realty | MLS # 4109843 | Active
Price: $2,875,000
2820 Camden Pointe Drive, Sherrills Ford, NC 28673
Subdivision: Lakepointe South
4 BR, 4.1 BA, 4509 sqft
Lake Homes Realty LLC | MLS # 4111519 | Contract
Price: $2,110,000
578 Normandy Road, Mooresville, NC 28117
4 BR, 3.1 BA, 4301 sqft
Lake Realty | MLS # 4122782 | Active
Price: $1,675,000
5008 Webbs Chapel Church Road, Denver, NC 28037
Subdivision: John T Mundy
3 BR, 3.1 BA, 3628 sqft
Southern Charm Realty | MLS # 4107747 | Contract
Price: $1,295,000
104 Chandeleur Drive, Mooresville, NC 28117
Subdivision: Harbor Cove
4 BR, 3 BA, 2405 sqft
houzRE | MLS # 4119575 | Contract
Price: $1,240,000
162 Gannett Drive, Mooresville, NC 28117
3 BR, 2 BA, 1690 sqft
Keller Williams Lake | MLS # 4103758 | Contract
Price: $1,090,000
174 Gudger Road, Mooresville, NC 28117
Subdivision: Bridgeport
4 BR, 2.1 BA, 2923 sqft
Keller Williams | MLS # 4117255 | Contract

Listings 1 - 7 of 7