Unlocking the Mystery of Foreclosed Properties: Answering 12 Key Questions

Property Updates

Foreclosed residential units appear attractive for buyers looking to own new properties. Still, as enticing as they can be, interested buyers should always proceed cautiously and do the necessary research before agreeing to a transaction and writing checks.

Properties are foreclosed for specific reasons, including failure or refusal of occupants to settle their financial obligations. So unlike the conventional procedure of acquiring a residential property, this case needs special attention.

As part of due diligence on the part of the buyer, here are some questions that he or she should ask the agency responsible for disposing of foreclosed properties:

(Have pen and paper handy to jot down notes.)

Is the property currently occupied?

This should be the first question to ask. A “no” would be more straightforward, but a “yes” puts you as a buyer in a precarious situation. While it is assumed that occupants will be leaving, that remains as an assumption unless it becomes a reality. So what is the assurance a buyer can get? If at this point, there is uncertainty, take a pass on this property and look elsewhere. You’ll then be out of trouble.

Does the property have a clean title?

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Getting the assurance that you are about to purchase a property sitting on a legal title helps you obtain an exact certified copy at the registry of deeds along with a previous version, if any, that was overridden by the current one by changing ownership and mother title.

What are the payment terms?

One drawback of foreclosed properties is that they’re not brand-new, and the house’s condition could deteriorate slightly. So you might expect to get some compromise in terms of payment terms to offset expenses for minor renovations. Know how much the minimum down payment, length of the mortgage, interest rates, monthly amortization, and other money-related matters are.

Can you describe this property?

As a buyer, you’d like to acquire a house that fits your needs. Does it have a parking space for your car? How many bedrooms does it have? Is it a townhouse or a multi-door apartment? Getting as much information as possible — like photos, vicinity maps, and nearby facilities — if visiting it in the short term is not possible — can give a more precise idea if this property suits your requirements in size, location, accessibility, and other factors. Otherwise, it may be best to move to the next available property.

Are there outstanding taxes payable?

There are several tax considerations when acquiring properties, and knowing who will shoulder them is essential. This includes capital gains tax, which is imposed on the sale of assets at 6% of the gross selling price, documentary tax, real property tax, and creditable withholding tax. The buyer or withholding agent withholds the latter from payment to the seller for the sale of the seller’s ordinary assets/services. This also gives you an idea of who pays what and how much. This also helps determine whether the buyer inherits outstanding tax dues or not.

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This is a helpful step to be aware of what else you should be paying, anticipating that one big reason for the property foreclosure is that the occupants failed to pay dues promptly, and arrears and penalties have accumulated since. The seller likely will disclose this information, but remind you if you haven’t been told about it.

Are there other fees to pay besides taxes and advertised property value?

As the property you’re about to acquire has foreclosed so, there are financial issues involved that led to such a situation; you should particularly pinpoint outstanding payments and arrears that the previous occupants did not pay. Owed arrears also depend on the type of property you’re looking at. For example, condo unit owners might get charged with monthly dues computed by floor area or association or maintenance dues owed from property owners living in villages or subdivisions.

Are there arrears in utilities?

Unpaid electricity bills could mean the unit is a candidate for disconnection; if not yet disconnected from the grid, it requires extra money and time to restore them. If not, maybe the unity was not occupied, and no utility connections like water, telephone, or electricity have been installed yet, so check this as well. If electricity/water connections are unavailable, ask how much it would usually cost for a link to become available for your property.

When will the buyer be given authority or take control of the property?

Will it be enough when he or she pays the down payment or gets hold of the updated certificate of ownership? The earlier the owner receives the key to the property, the renovation can start earlier if one is necessary, and wealth can be leased to tenants or become ready for occupancy. This also helps you, as a buyer who may have taken a loan to finance the acquisition, use the property investment, and move out of your current dwelling to save costs.

Around how much is the rental rate in the area for this type of property?

If you are planning to acquire a real estate property and convert it as an investment vehicle, it will be helpful to get an idea of how much is the prevailing rental rates. Doing so can better help you decide to take this route or even consider proceeding to buy this foreclosed property to begin with.

How old is the property?

Having an old property is a double-sided perspective. If it is old and visibly needs thorough renovation, its price should reflect such conditions. On the other hand, if it’s built for several decades but looks durable, it’s an indicator of good structural health and requires minimal maintenance work, enabling you to save on repairs for the long term. That is why a physical visit should be done for properties that are not built recently.

Is the property accessible?

If you are unfamiliar with the neighborhood or live far away from the property, get a vicinity map. Or pay it a visit to experience how long it take to the place from public transport hubs (bus or jeepney stop or highway), public infrastructures such as hospitals, church, market, and steady source of water or no power shortage.

Initially, you’ll have a bias against it since you can’t help but compare it with your current property, plus the foreclosed property is in frail condition after years of neglect and lack of upkeep. But have a neutral mindset since most likely, you have not yet discovered its inherent advantages or you are already used to the disadvantages of your current residence (scheduled brownouts, dimly lit streets, or one-hour commute to work).

Is there anything I should know but failed to ask?

Foreclosed properties may have other factors outside of the house. Was there an unsolved murder case or a former resident who committed suicide in the neighborhood? Is the place far from the police station where robberies or burglaries in the community are typical? Is it near a dump site or a factory that discharges toxic fumes? Or is it far from the pleasant neighborhood as advertised, as it suffers from various forms of pollution?

Conclusion

Such due diligence on the part of a buyer is significant because, in many cases, properties are sold on an “as is where is the basis,” which means what you see is what you get. Get help from your future neighbors or assign someone to pay the property/neighborhood a visit if you can’t visit physically.

Has this copy printed out as you go through the details with an agent or selling party? The conversation should be very brief- less than half an hour- to evaluate whether this foreclosed property is for you.

What’s next

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