How do you handle all these REO requests?

How do you handle all these REO requests?

Realtor · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2015 · 2k+ posts · 857 votes

Little bit on content behind this question.

I'm heavily advertising on Zillow in the cheaper priced areas (I'm really looking at my advertising stragery this quarter) and I get a heavy amount of leads from buyers always inquiring about the latest REO/Foreclosure/HUD that has his the market.

When I follow up with them and start asking the pre-qualifiction questions; are they pre-approved, are they a cash buyer, if so how much is their budget? have they ever fixed up a property. 
They start to filter themselves out quickly but some still push, "I want to see this house, I have the cash to buy it"
Yet they don't take into consideration the repair costs they would need to put into the property.

To my realtors out there, I ask you how do you go about telling a buyer you feel should not look be pursuing this path? Due to lack of financing or knowledge of what they are getting themselves into? Or the property is a dump and I don't want my reputation harmed? 

1Reply
4 views

1 Reply

Jump to latestLatest
  • Russell BrazilBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Agent · Washington, D.C. · Member since 2012 · 17k+ posts · 30k+ votes
    10y

    All you can do is give them your best advice and allow them to make their own mistakes. I would just make sure you have some sort of permanent record, like an email, that you have pointed out to them the significant repair costs and the fact that they might be getting in over their head.  Then if they are still ok with it, proceed with the transaction.

    On another note....I find Zillow leads are completely worthless.

Join the conversationCreate a free account to reply, vote on answers and follow this thread.