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.