REO Inventory and Offers

REO Inventory and Offers

Lender · South Bend, IN · Member since 2015 · 154 posts · 37 votes

Hello all,

I am in the South Bend market and have recently been focused in on REO's. I am using the MLS to located deals within a predefined zipcode (46614). My experience so far is that there is not a ton of inventory (9 currently listed) and when I submit offers either the banks are not answering or they are only coming off their asking price by a max of $2000. Is that normal? I am using a fix and flip model. Most of the homes are in rough shape and it seems the banks are not taking that into consideration in their asking price. I am using the flip calculator and sold comps form the mls to come up with my offers. So far I have not had any offers accepted.

My questions are this. 1. Should I start looking into other markets? 2. Are other investors finding this pattern in their local markets? 3. Is it still profitable to pursue REO's or should I start to look into other strategies for acquisition? As always feedback is much appreciated and I thank you in advance for taking the time to read this and answer my questions. Happy Thanksgiving!

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Levi T.Pro Member
Rental Property Investor · Tucson AZ / Nice FR / Washington DC · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
9y

It's the same in all markets. Your targeting the wrong people, you need to get the deals before the banks get them, you wont find that on MLS. That means you need to find other means of finding off market deals that fit your needs.

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  • Levi T.Pro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Tucson AZ / Nice FR / Washington DC · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    9y

    It's the same in all markets. Your targeting the wrong people, you need to get the deals before the banks get them, you wont find that on MLS. That means you need to find other means of finding off market deals that fit your needs.

  • Investor · Madison, CT · Member since 2014 · 710 posts · 458 votes
    9y

    @Stephen Sokolow

    The banks are not interested in the condition of the house; they are interested in getting as much of their money back as they can. I have purchased REOs off the MLS that were good deals, but I have never even bothered offering less than the asking price. My strategy is buy and hold, so we are definitely working from different price points and different goals. In my market, very few viable flips are getting to the MLS. You either have to do your own marketing to find off-market deals, or try an auction.

  • Investor · Poplar Bluff, MO · Member since 2014 · 20 posts · 7 votes
    9y

    I've had good luck with Hudson and Marshall (on line auction) as well as several HUD homes. All the ones we go after need work and usually have been on the market for a bit. I think a lot depends on the area you are looking in but don't give up! There are deals out there. If you could find a knowledgable agent that specialized in REO that may help give you some more specific insight to your market.

  • South Bend, IN · Member since 2015 · 180 posts · 93 votes
    9y
    Stephen Sokolow I have been making quite a few offers recently on REOs and other MLS properties and been outbid significantly. South Bend (and seemingly the US in general) is very hot right now. I am seeing a lot of big money in town right now as well as new people buying property at top dollar. I agree with others posts here. If you are able to close on an MLS deal without massively overpaying it would be incredibly lucky right now. If you think about it the banks are just going to try to get as much money back from REOs as they can and because they aren't flooded with them right now they would rather just hold onto them than sell them at a loss.
  • Pat HemingerPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Greenfield, MA · Member since 2016 · 28 posts · 5 votes
    9y

    You might want to try Zillow for preforclosures and sale by owner. There seems to be a few and possibly room for negotiation.

  • Real Estate Broker · Orange, CT · Member since 2013 · 951 posts · 218 votes
    9y

    Banks almost always want close to list price.  If you feel its over priced, make the offer anyway and after it's rejected let the broker know to contact you if they decide to move on the price. ('back up offer').

    Other than that, there's a lot of competition out there and the MLS is looking less and less profitable. It's nearly impossible to hit-a-home-run with the starter homes these days because 'the market' will bid up the price.

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