In order to qualify what property ownership entails, it is a simple matter of checking the name listed on the title.
More often than not, one still has umpteen payments on a house loan is not the real owner as the bank has both hands in the pie.
If for some unforeseen circumstance one fails to make default payments, foreclosures start to loom in the horizon.
At times, these real estate buzzards peter out as more creatures develop interest in buying a bank owned property.
Despite hopes for bargain basement prices, this may not happen as banks want to break even and release the REO (Real Estate Owned) property back into the market.
If one is venturing in this direction, it is essential to comprehend market value of the said property.
Paying over and above is obviously ludicrous unless there is a good reason to do so.
Short of sitting on a gold mine or oil shale, one generally pays according to the market.
Ability to maintain a new regime of payments also needs careful study as one does not want to be overloaded with further expenses.
Housing payments generally stretch into years and decade.
One also does not want to contribute to foreclosure statistics of failed home owners.
Banks treat the re-selling of properties as jobs having failed first attempts.
As such, some may place high priority in regaining a stream of income whereas others may take a more blase approach.
Either way, when buying a bank owned property, request for prior inspection as anything is possible behind locked doors and drawn curtains.
If the place is not in the best of conditions yet salvageable, negotiate a suitable price.
At times, the bank may choose to run an auction.
Have ready finances and quick reflexes as the desired property goes under the hammer.