Question: What is a "HUD
Home"?
Answer: When
someone with a HUD insured mortgage can't meet the payments,
the lender forecloses on the home; HUD pays the lender what
is owed; and HUD takes ownership of the home. Then HUD sell
it at market value as quickly as possible.
Question: Who can buy a
HUD home?
Answer:
Anyone! If you have the cash or can qualify for a mortgage,
you can buy a HUD home.
Question: Are HUD Homes
meant for people with low incomes?
Answer:
HUD homes range in price, but most are affordable for low-
and moderate-income Americans.
Question: Is it true I
can get a HUD Home for a dollar?
Answer:
No. HUD sells homes at market value - that means that the
price is set based on the price of similar homes sold in the
area.
Question: If the HUD Home
needs repairs, will HUD make them?
Answer:
HUD Homes are sold "as-is," without warranty. That means
that HUD will not pay to correct any problems. But even if a
HUD Home needs fixing up - and not all of them do - it can
be a real bargain! For example, HUD's asking price on the
home will reflect the fact that the buyer will have to
invest money to make improvements. HUD might offer special
incentives such as an allowance to upgrade the property, a
moving expense allowance, or a bonus for closing the sale
early. And keep in mind that on most sales, the buyer can
request HUD to pay all or a portion of the financing and
closing costs. Your real estate agent will have details.
We encourage you to get the home professionally inspected
after your bid has
been acknowledged on the web site.
Qestion: How do I buy a
HUD home?
Answer:
Start by finding a HUD-certified real estate agent (Mito
Realty). Mito Realty submit your bid for you.
Normally, HUD Homes are sold in an "Offer Period." At the
end of the Offer Period, all offers are opened and,
basically, the highest bid is accepted. If the home isn't
sold in the initial Offer Period, you can submit a bid any
business day.
Question: If my bid is
accepted, then what happens?
Answer:
Your real estate agent will help you through the paperwork
process. You'll be given a settlement date, normally within
30-60 days, where the transaction will occur. We have an
excellent booklet to help you understand the settlement
process: "Buying
Your Home - Settlement Costs and Helpful Information."
When you buy a HUD Home, the selling agent's commissions
are usually paid by HUD. HUD will pay a sales commission of
up to 5%.
Question: How can I find
out what HUD Homes are for sale?
Answer:
Right here! Towerauctions.com has updated lists of
HUD Homes for sale every day. If you see one that
interests you, contact one of the real estate agents in your
area who show HUD homes. They can help you from there.
Question: How can I get a
loan to buy a HUD Home?
Answer:
HUD doesn't make loans directly. But they do have a number
of mortgage insurance programs that could help you buy a
home. You can read about those
programs here. Then contact a
HUD approved lender, who will take you through the steps
and actually make the loan.
Question: Can I buy a HUD
Home as an investment?
Answer: Most HUD
Homes are initially offered on a priority basis to owner
occupant purchasers (people who are buying the home as their
primary residence). Following the priority period, unsold
properties are then available to all buyers, including
investors.
Question: Is there
anything else I should know about HUD Homes?
Answer: We
encourage every homebuyer and homeowner to be a wise
consumer, so be sure to read HUD's
Consumer Information. Houses built before 1977 may have
lead based paint, which can cause harm to your family;
so be sure to read about this hazard and about what you
would need to do to correct it.
Attention:
Nonprofits and Government Agencies!
HUD has a special sales program under which approved
nonprofit organizations and government agencies may purchase
properties at discounted prices for use in local housing or
homeless programs. Contact the
local HUD office for details.