Boston MA Bank Foreclosed Real Estate
Boston MA Bank Foreclosures
Boston MA bank owned foreclosures describe property the lender obtains after an unsuccessful foreclosure auction. The lender will then resell the property by direct sale or market their inventory through a Realtor. Buyers often benefit by purchasing Boston MA foreclosures as the lender’s interest is to dispose of the asset quickly and aggressively price them to reflect market conditions.
The foreclosure process begins when the homeowner defaults on their mortgage. The first step is to obtain the right to sell at auction. This process will take a minimum of 75 days with substantial delays possible if the homeowner uses the law to their benefit. To obtain current bank owned and short sale listings go to Boston MA foreclosures.
Boston Short Sales – Buying at Pre-Foreclosure
There are cases where a Boston MA homeowner will attempt to sell their home before the bank begins foreclosure proceedings. The homeowner is either already behind on their mortgage payments or will not be able to sell for a price that the net proceeds and additional resources would cover the balance owed on their mortgage. This is commonly referred to as a short-sale and requires the lender’s approval. Obtaining approval can be a long and frustrating process. Additionally, there are no guarantees that the lender will accept an offer at or above the listed price or any viable contract presented.
If the Boston homeowner is negotiating for a short sale under the HAFA program (Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternative) offered by the government, the process is streamlined and offers the lender, homeowner and potential buyer additional incentives. Home buyers have a better chance of purchasing the property if a Seller is participating in this program.
MA Laws Governing Foreclosures
In Massachusetts, non-judicial foreclosure is the most common method; judicial foreclosure is rarely used in MA. Lenders usually have a power of sale clause and must abide by stringent notice requirements. If a homeowner files for bankruptcy, the court can overturn the foreclosure sale if sold for less than market value. Therefore, lenders in Massachusetts are very cautious in meeting the requirements set forth in the law. Review Massachusetts Foreclosure law for government legislation about MA foreclosures.
Buying Boston Massachusetts at Foreclosure Auction
For most consumers, purchasing at a foreclosure auction is a “risky” undertaking and, in most cases, they will opt to purchase from the lender after the auction. As a result, not many Boston MA foreclosure auctions end with a bidder being successful with an accepted offer. The lender takes back the title and possession of the property. These properties are referred to as REO (Real Estate Owned) or Bank Owned properties.
Boston Massachusetts Foreclosed or Bank Owned Real Estate
After a bank (lender, financial institution) takes possession of a property (after an unsuccessful auction), they mitigate items owed by the prior borrower, such as homeowner association fees. The lender also tries to get the IRS to remove any tax liens against the property. The current owners are usually evicted or provided financial incentives to vacate.The property is cleaned and minor repairs are made to the property. The lender hopes to obtain a higher net sales price with minor improvements.
Lenders want to move their foreclosed assets quickly maintaining REO inventory is a costly process. Additionally, managing a foreclosed property may see further reductions in value and is a “headache”. Some banks have experience in managing REOs and foreclosures and often have a department dedicated to them.
Most lenders hire experienced Boston real estate agents to market their properties and list their inventory in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) to ensure full market exposure. Bank owned listings compete with other available listings and buyers have the opportunity to inspect and investigate property prior to the final purchase. Some lenders will negotiate repairs and concessions, but in most cases their preference is to sell “as is” at a “discounted price”.
State and Federal requirements regarding property disclosure must be followed by lenders. They usually disclose that they have no knowledge of the property and can make no representations as they have never occupied the property. Banks may or may not provide owner financing on their REOs but in most cases, this would apply only to property that was in very bad condition. A buyer is likely to obtain a better value for properties that need substantial repairs.
Buyers with accepted contracts have the option to conduct full home inspections even though the property is being sold “as is”. If major unknown material defects are found, the lender usually will negotiate to either a substantially lower price or make the repair. Generally, negotiating with a lender is an easier process than negotiating with a homeowner. Lenders are typically unemotional about the process and are interested in making a “good business” decision for their stockholders. If a buyer is unreasonable in negotiating the lender will move on to the next potential buyer.
A Boston MA bank owned property isn’t always the best value for a consumer. It’s an old myth that “foreclosures” are a bargain.
Negotiating a Contract for a Boston Property
Before making an offer, have your agent obtain all available disclosures and information on the property and ask questions such as: Are there any inspection reports? Has the lender agreed to any repairs not completed? Is there a special “as is” form? How long does it take the bank to accept an offer?How is the offer negotiated?
Since lenders do not typically work on weekends and due to the volume of REO inventory, the negotiating process may take longer and create frustration for the buyer.
Make sure that your offer contains your “credit” approval which demonstrates your qualifications as a buyer as the lender is more motivated to negotiate with a qualified buyer.
Do not expect lenders to “give away” property as they understand what the property should sell for in the marketplace. As mentioned earlier, properties that need substantial structural and mechanical repairs will be negotiated aggressively There are fewer qualified buyers for these properties so lenders will offer greater discounts.
Virtual Homes real estate agents will provide you with a list of Boston MA foreclosures and bank owned real estate for sale. In addition, we can represent you as a Buyer’s agent and represent your interests in the property search, research, negotiations, home inspection and closing of the transaction.