What does REO stand for in real estate and what does it mean? 🤔
REO stands for Real Estate Owned. Apparently banks are not very creative. 😁
An REO, known in full as Real Estate Owned, is a class of property owned by a lender—typically a bank, government agency, or government loan insurer—after an unsuccessful sale at a foreclosure auction.
This situation occurs when a homeowner defaults (can’t or won’t pay) on their mortgage payments, leading the lender to initiate a foreclosure, which is a legal process that allows them to sell the home and recover as much of the outstanding loan balance as possible.
Upon default, the bank or lender will attempt to sell the property at a foreclosure auction, if the auction does not result in a sale—usually because the minimum bid is not met— the property is tagged as REO.
The lender now takes full control of the property. Post-foreclosure, the lender is responsible for the maintenance of the property and any necessary repairs. The lender will also cover any tax liens, evicting occupants if necessary, and settle homeowner’s association dues.
As the property is now actually costing the lender, they will often list the property for sale in an effort to recoup their investment.
The bank or lender often hires a Real Estate Agent that specializes in dealing with and selling REO properties.
REOs typically present opportunities for investors or home buyers who are in search of discounted homes and are not averse to repairs or renovations, as these properties are often sold “as is”.