| Purchasing
a HUD Home may be easier than many private real estate
transactions, there are still some requirements, which
must be met--certain forms that must be used, and procedures
that must be followed. However, these requirements are
clearly stated in advance. I will be there to help
you through it all.
There are no negotiations between buyer and seller
when you buy a HUD Home. There is no haggling about
price. Buyers submit a bid through the real estate
professional; all bids are reviewed on Friday with the
home going to the highest bidder. During certain
times, HUD will accept a full priced offer before the
Friday deadline. HUD responds promptly to your
offer, and if it is accepted, closing on the home will
usually occur within 30 to 45 days.
Best of all, the help you will receive from me is absolutely
free! HUD pays all real estate commissions.
Making an offer to buy a HUD Home is often much
easier than the process of buying a home on the private
market. You will submit your offer through
a real estate broker, in the form of a sealed bid using
the HUD contract form. The person making the highest
acceptable bid is generally awarded that HUD Home.
Before submitting a bid, all potential buyers must be
pre approved.
Offers for HUD Homes can only be made through a licensed
real estate broker. This way, HUD requirements are met
and buyers get the help they need.
Sometimes HUD accepts an offer that is less than the
listing price, depending on market conditions and the
length of time the property has been on the market.
Sometimes buyers make bids higher than the listing price,
if they believe the market conditions demand it, or
if the home is particularly appealing.
You will generally make your offer for a HUD
Home during a designated "Offer Period."
At the end of the 10-day offer period, all the bids
received on the home will be opened at a public event,
which you may attend. (Full-price offers are often opened
immediately.) If your offer is accepted, your broker
will be notified.
Earnest money
When you make an offer on a home, the seller
will usually require an "earnest money" deposit
as proof that your offer is serious. If the offer is
accepted, your earnest money deposit will become part
of your down payment or closing costs. If your offer
is rejected, the broker will return your earnest money
to you. Earnest money on a HUD home is typically
$1,000-$3,000 dollars depending on the price of the
home.
The costs of buying a home are more than just the price
you agree to pay for it. Before you move in, you will
have to pay closing costs, which are explained below.
With HUD Homes HUD often pays these costs.
Closing Costs
This term covers various fees your lender charges for
providing your loan, and other expenses. Closing costs
typically add up to about 3% or 4% of the price of your
home, depending on where you purchase it. However, when
you buy a HUD Home, HUD often picks up these costs--if
they are specifically requested, by dollars amount,
in the sealed bid. Just remember that closing costs
and sales commissions are deducted from the bid amount
in making the decision as to which offer a more competitive
bid, pay your own closing costs. This makes HUD's net
return greater; making your bid more favorable an increasing
the likelihood, that HUD will accept your offer.
Commissions
When you buy a HUD Home, HUD usually pays the selling
agent's commissions.
Inspection
Before you buy anything, you will want to know exactly
what it is you are getting. That is why it is
a good idea to get a professional inspection of your
home--even before you make the offer. HUD Homes
are sold in "as-is" condition. That means
you agree, if you buy the home, to accept it in its
present condition. HUD does not pay for the correction
of defects in existing homes that it sells or on homes
purchased with FHA-insured mortgages. The owner of the
home will be responsible for needed repairs. Therefore,
be sure of the condition of the home before you submit
your offer.
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