How home buyer can beat REI's in their own game

[Alex G.]

1. Find out how much house you can afford by getting pre-approved for a mortgage. 

2. Using sites like redfin.com and realtor.com, locate MLS-listed REO properties (typically sold "as-is") that you may want to buy and save them.

3. Sit and wait:) until you receive an email indicating that a saved property's status has changed to "pending".

4. Have your buyer's agent submit a home purchase offer.  Chances are, this will trigger a "multiple offers" situation giving you an opportunity to submit your "highest and best".  

Happy Thanksgiving, y'all!