# Real Estate Owned (REO) Definition, Advantages, and Disadvantages

## What Is Real Estate Owned (REO)?

The term real estate owned (REO) refers to a lender-owned property that is not sold at a [foreclosure](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/f/foreclosure.asp) auction. Properties become REO when owners default and the bank repossesses them and tries to sell them. The lender, which is often a bank, takes ownership of a foreclosed property when it fails to sell at the amount sought to cover the loan. These properties generally come at a steep discount but may require extensive repairs.

### Key Takeaways

*   Real estate owned is the term for a property owned by a lender because it failed to sell in a foreclosure auction after the borrower defaulted on their mortgage.
*   Banks attempt to sell their REOs using a real estate agent or by listing the properties online.
*   REO specialists may be involved to try to get more exposure for the properties.
*   REOs are often sold at a discount by banks and other lenders. They are usually sold as-is and are often in disrepair.

![Real Estate Owned (REO): Property owned by a lender because it failed to sell in a foreclosure auction after the borrower defaulted on their mortgage.](https://www.investopedia.com/thmb/8GS_PWffkc-iz1JOIBazDcwF8oU=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/realestateowned.asp-final-aaaccfa1cd334f10b6c78d4d544f5bfc.png)

*— Investopedia / Zoe Hansen*

## Understanding Real Estate Owned (REO) Properties

When a borrower defaults on their mortgage, the pre-foreclosure period often involves either a [real estate short sale](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/real-estate-short-sale.asp) or a public auction. If neither goes through, the foreclosure process can end with the lender taking ownership of the property. Lenders may be banks, non-traditional lenders, quasi-government entities like [Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac](https://www.investopedia.com/articles/economics/08/fannie-mae-freddie-mac-credit-crisis.asp), or other government entities.

Lenders may attempt to sell REO properties in their portfolios without the help of real estate agents. When this is the case, banks or government agencies often list their REO properties on their websites. A bank's loan officers may also notify customers looking for homes about the REO properties in its portfolio.

### Note

The Department of Housing and Urban Development lists single-family REO homes for sale on the HUD Home Store.

REO properties are managed by the lender's REO specialist. Their role includes:

*   Marketing the properties
*   Reviewing any offers
*   Preparing regular reports on the status of properties in the bank's portfolio
*   Tracking down deeds

The REO specialist also works closely with the lender's in-house or contracted property manager to ensure properties are secure and winterized or to prepare a property for vacancy. The REO specialist undertakes these job functions to help the bank [liquidate](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/l/liquidate.asp) its properties quickly and efficiently.

## Special Considerations

REO specialists often contract the services of local real estate agents to list the properties in the [multiple listing service](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/multiple-listing-service-mls.asp) (MLS) so they get more exposure. Listing properties in the MLS ensures that potential buyers who visit real estate websites, as well as sites like Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin, and Trulia, will see the listings. REO listing agents bring any offers they receive to the REO specialist.

> **Important**
>
> As of 2024, a new rule prohibits showing compensation offers on Multiple Listing Services (MLSs). This promotes transparency and gives buyers and sellers the ability to negotiate commissions separately with their agents/brokers, shifting away from the previous practice of a fixed commission rate split between the agents. As a result, the way compensation offers are now made will provide more flexibility and potential cost savings to consumers.

## How a Property Gains REO Status

So, how does a property become real estate owned? Lenders must adhere to a process for it to go from the original owner to lender-owned. It starts with the borrower defaulting on their mortgage or home loan. Lenders normally have a cut-off date, generally within a few months. When a mortgage is in default, lenders try to work with the borrower to bring it up to date. If not, it goes to the next stage: foreclosure.

Foreclosure is a legal process. It allows lenders to repossess the property and try to sell it to recoup the outstanding balance of the loan. There are instances when lenders can't sell the property. This is the point at which it becomes real estate owned. The lender manages the property and prepares it for listing on the market.

### Note

Buyers should also search public records to ensure that all [liens](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/l/lien.asp) associated with a property have been paid to help ensure a smooth closing.

## Advantages and Disadvantages of a REO Property

### Advantages

REO properties can be attractive to [real estate investors](https://www.investopedia.com/mortgage/real-estate-investing-guide/) and homebuyers because they are cost-effective investments. Banks may often sell them at a discount to their market value since selling such properties is not typically their primary business.

Many properties that come through the foreclosure process don't have only outstanding loans; there also may be other defaulted payments on them. This can include [property tax](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/propertytax.asp) payments and other debts. The point of foreclosure is to remove any liens from the property and sell it. Purchasing an REO means they come lien-free, so there are no defective titles and no outstanding debts.

The majority of lenders don't want to hold onto REO properties. Keeping them on the market means they lose money. As such, they're usually more motivated to unload the REO property than a regular seller would their own home. Instead of doing the back-and-forth, lenders may be more willing to negotiate, which means buyers can often walk away paying a lower price than they otherwise would.  

### Disadvantages

Lenders typically sell REO properties on an as-is basis. This means they will not make any (major) repairs or renovations prior to selling. These properties are often in disrepair, so it's crucial to have a thorough [home inspection](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/h/home-inspection.asp) and be prepared to make (and pay for) renovations that may be needed.

A highly neglected or damaged property may require extensive repairs and upgrades to make it habitable again. The cost of repairs can often negate any savings buyers have on the actual purchase price.

Although single-family home occupants may be evicted prior to listing, [multi-family homes](https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/041216/3-reasons-invest-multifamily-real-estate.asp) may still be occupied by tenants. This means buyers may end up becoming landlords, even if they never intended to take on that role. Buyers will have to take precautions to ensure they are compliant with local and state landlord-tenant laws by honoring existing leases.

Pros

*   Discounted prices
    
*   No outstanding liens or debts
    
*   Lenders may be willing to negotiate
    

Cons

*   Properties are sold as-is
    
*   High cost of repairs
    
*   Properties may be tenanted
    

## What Does Real Estate Owned Mean?

A real-estate-owned property is managed by a bank or other lender. Properties that fall under this category are taken over by lenders after the original borrowers default on their mortgages. Lenders go through the foreclosure process to repossess the property and sell it at auction. If the property isn't sold, it becomes part of the lender's inventory.

## How Does a Property Become Real Estate Owned?

There is a process that a property must go through before it can become real estate owned. First, the borrower goes into default. If the lender cannot negotiate repayment of the mortgage, they can repossess the property. This allows them to evict any occupants (provided it's a single-family home) and prepare the property for sale at auction. If the property can't be sold, it becomes [part of the lender's inventory](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/o/other-real-estate-owned-oreo.asp) and, therefore, real estate owned.

## How Much Should I Offer on a Real-Estate-Owned Property?

How much buyers should offer on a real-estate-owned property varies. Lenders are often highly motivated to sell REO properties, which means they often come at a bigger discount compared to properties being sold by an owner. If you still feel that you're not getting the best price, look at the market value of the property and other comparable homes in the area and make your offer.

## The Bottom Line

Real estate can present a lucrative investment opportunity. To save money on the purchase price, many investors find [opportunities in real-estate-owned properties](https://www.investopedia.com/articles/mortgages-real-estate/08/investing-in-foreclosures.asp), which are owned by lenders. These properties go through the default and foreclosure process and aren't sold at auction.

Because it can be costly to maintain REO properties, lenders are often highly motivated to sell. You can get these properties at a steep discount. But if they are neglected or require extensive repairs, the cost of renovations can cancel out any savings from the lower selling price.

> **Article Sources**
>
> 1.  U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. "[HUD Homes (REO)](https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/housing/sfh/reo)."
>     
> 2.  National Association of Realtors. "[Settlement Factsheet](https://www.nar.realtor/sites/default/files/documents/nar-settlement-factsheet-2024-04-24.pdf)."