Can I bid on this HUD listing?

Question

Long time lurker, first time poster.My grandmother is a Realtor for a C21 broker that does sell HUD properties, and they have a NAID? number. The listing agent for the home I'd like to bid on thinks I may be disqualified from bidding due to close family relationship with an agent in a HUD affiliated office.

Everything I can find on HUD.gov or otherwise with google defines immediate family as: (by blood, in-law, or marriage) parent, child, or sibling -- or spouse of any of these. Can't find anything that states extension to grandparent/grandchild. Does anyone know for sure?

Would be bidding as owner-occupant in TN, currently have primary residence and 3 investment SFR conventional mortgages all >20% equity.

Thanks!

Greg H. · Answer

@Aaron Carlton

I would not have one minute of pause for 2 reasons:

Her office is not a Broad listing broker

You are not considered immediate family as you are a generation removed

Keep in mind, there is no penalty even if you were immediate family.  Hus would only cancel the bid

Greg H. · Answer

Only relatives of HUD listing Brokers are disqualified.  Selling Brokers, ie those with NAID are in no way disqualified nor are the brokers themselves as I have made a living buying them for 30 years

Additionally, I believe that grandchildren of a listing broker are not considered immediate family

Aaron Carlton · Answer

Thanks for the quick reply!

The listing agent works in another Century 21 office with the same owner as the office my grandmother works for. Is her entire office considered the "listing broker"? She might have also been a HUD listing agent in the past - she has listed a lot of foreclosures.