Understanding the Foreclosure Process

What is foreclosure and how does it happen? Does the homeowner have a chance to get back their home? Can I buy a home in foreclosure? Whether you’re an investor, homeowner or in the market to buy, foreclosure process is important to learn about in today’s real estate world.

Foreclosure is the final step in a process of a lender trying to recoup their money from a borrower who has defaulted on their loan. The bank either sells or takes back the home resulting in a foreclosure auction or bank foreclosure.

The first step on the road to foreclosure is the NOD or notice of default. After this there is a reinstatement period in the foreclosure process before the house is put up for auction. If the defaulted loan isn’t taken care of in this time period, a notice of sale is sent to the owner, posted on the property and in the newspaper and the home is put up for auction.

In this turning point in the foreclosure process, the home is either purchased by the highest bidder, meeting the reserve set by the bank to recoup their loan balance, interest and additional fees or the home is repossessed by the bank. At this point, the home becomes, bank or real estate owned (REO) property and can be purchased directly from them, often with a clean title.