Have you heard a lot about HUD homes, but aren’t sure if you should buy one or what the process entails?  HUD stands for The Department Of Housing And Urban Development. The FHA (Federal Housing Administration) is a part of HUD. The FHA is where federal mortgage insurance comes from. If a home is foreclosed on and insured by the FHA, the lender has a right to file a claim for the balance due on the mortgage. The FHA will pay this claim, and then transfer the ownership of the property to the HUD who will sell the home.

Will A HUD Home Provide A Price Break? 

The answer to this question is not necessarily. A HUD home is appraised just like any other home for sale. The price is based on the fair market value of the home. The prices may be adjusted according to any repairs that need to be made to the home. It’s a good idea to have your realtor look into comparable prices for HUD homes, as these properties aren’t guaranteed to be a deal.

Know that HUD homes are sold as-is. There isn’t much negotiating like that of a typical home purchase. As the new owner, you’ll be responsible for all of the repairs. It’s a good idea to invest in a home inspection before you buy a HUD home for this reason. You’ll have a better understanding of what you’re getting into with this type of home purchase. 

How Do You Begin The Search For A HUD Home?

Housing and Urban Development homes are listed by state on the department’s website. This is a good place to start your search. The site also lists brokers who are approved by the HUD. You can then contact local brokers to show you the HUD properties that you’re interested in.

The Process Of Making An Offer

Buying a HUD property can be very different than buying any other type of home in that the offer process is a bit different. These properties are sold through bids. You must hire a licensed real estate agent to assist you in this process, you can’t just put a bid in on your own. You’ll need to be sure that your offer is placed during the designated offer period. Either the highest bid is accepted or the bid that came in first in order will be taken. Generally, the HUD wants to take the offer that will get them the most profit.

Careful With Financing

The HUD does not finance homes. You’ll need to apply for a mortgage just as you would in buying any other home. Before you can even make an offer on a home you must have approved financing. If for some reason you get through the process of having your offer accepted on the home and the financing falls through, there’s a chance that you could lose your earnest money deposit.