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Realty Trac vs Foreclosure Listings

Monday, March 27th

2023 Foreclosure Listing Service Reviews

Realty Trac Review 3 Star Rating

Realty Trac

3 Star Rating
  • 30-day trial for $1
  • $49.60 per month after $1 30-day trial
  • Extra details on foreclosures
  • Large database

RealtyTrac is a one-stop shop for purchasing foreclosure properties. Based in Irvine, California, they have multiple membership options for you to choose from. They offer professional help and up-to-date information pertaining to the real estate market. They rank as "just average" simply because of their lack of positive reviews. While most of the negative reviews seem to be from customers who did not read the fact that memberships auto renew, there still aren't many people raving about their experience using RealtyTrac to find foreclosure listings.

Foreclosure Listings Review 1.5 Star Rating

Foreclosure Listings

1.5 Star Rating
  • 7-day trial for $3.95
  • $39.95 per month
  • $99 12-month membership
  • Updates website continuously
  • Multiple membership options

Foreclosure Listings is a website to find foreclosure properties that began in 1998. They sell your information to brokers and limit the number of listings you may view in a 24-hour period. Between that and the discrepancies on their website, plus Foreclosure Listings' many negative customer reviews, it's easy to understand why we say to avoid this service.

Which Foreclosure Listing Website is the Best?

A foreclosure is a process that starts when a borrower fails to pay their mortgage. The lender will typically repossess the home and they will try to sell the house. They are able to do this because when you take out a mortgage loan, the house is used as collateral. Having a foreclosure on your credit history will significantly lower your credit score. It may also prevent you from being able to qualify for credit or new loans for several years.

As a homebuyer, there are some benefits to purchasing a foreclosure. The largest benefit is possibly getting a better deal than the current market value of a home. When a home is in pre-foreclosure, the owner may be trying to sell to pay off their debts. They are motivated to sell, and are more willing to work out a deal. If you are willing to put in some research and elbow grease if repairs are needed, you have the potential to get a property at a fantastic price.

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Foreclosure Listing Service FAQ

Foreclosure is a term that refers to a lender repossessing a property when the homeowner hasn't kept up with their mortgage payments. Essentially, the mortgage holder (the bank, credit union or other financial institution) takes the home back, and the homeowner may lose any equity they built.
Investors looking for a home priced below market rates often look at foreclosures first. But, foreclosed properties are not just for investors: prospective homeowners can also benefit from buying a home for less than the market average price.
Pre-foreclosure indicates that the homeowners have been formally notified that they're in default and that the lender intends to repossess the property, but it hasn't yet been offered for sale. Foreclosure means that the home's ownership has already been returned to the lender. A short sale is when the homeowner sells the property for less than what is owed on their mortgage; this requires lender approval. Finally, if a foreclosed home doesn't sell at auction, the lender continues to own it; this is known as "bank owned" or REO (real estate owned).
Yes, most of the time. That means that if the home needs repairs, appliances are missing, or outright damage has been done to the property, it will usually be up to the buyer to handle that post-sale.
Besides getting a home that may need significant fixing-up, you could face a much longer timeframe to get to closing and keys in hand. You might also have to pay any back taxes or liens on the property if you're buying a foreclosure at auction.
It's not a requirement, but it's still a good idea to consider working with a realtor or a buyer's agent even with a foreclosure. They can protect your interests during the purchase, keep your expectations realistic, and help you understand the process - because buying foreclosed properties can be very different from a traditional home sale.
The most efficient way to find foreclosures in your target area is with a listing service. There are several platforms that allow you to search for properties according to the criteria you prefer, from number of bedrooms to estimated sale price and much more.
That depends on the foreclosure listing service you choose. Some offer a free trial period but then charge you on a month-to-month basis, while others are completely cost-free to use. We recommend trying a free service first, and then consider a paid platform if you don't find what you're looking for with the complimentary foreclosure listing provider.
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Continued from above...

However, there are some concerns when it comes to purchasing a foreclosure property. The biggest one is that there may be increased maintenance issues. Some homeowners feel the need to destroy the property before vacating it. They also have no motivation to do the upkeep before leaving. Foreclosure properties are often sold as-is, sometimes with no opportunity to inspect the inside prior to closing. You could find a bit of a fixer-upper missing an appliance or two, or there may be extensive damage down to the studs.

Foreclosure listing websites can save you a little legwork when it comes to tracking down possible properties to purchase. They scour public records to look for homes with missing payments, as well as ones where the bank has already begun the foreclosure process and you could get in on a deal.

As you start to consider which foreclosure website to use, here are a few key features to consider about what each website has to offer.

  • Trial. Are you able to try the website before you commit?
  • Price. How much will the website cost to use? Is it a one-time fee or a subscription?
  • Reviews. Do other customers find the website useful for finding timely listings?
  • Details. What details are on the website? Is it enough to know if you should pursue the purchase opportunity?
  • Quantity. Does the website offer a large database? How often is it updated with fresh foreclosure listings?
  • Education. Does the website offer any education or guidance when purchasing a foreclosure?

TopConsumerReviews.com has reviewed and ranked the best Foreclosure Listings available today. We hope this information helps you in your real estate goals, whether you're buying a home for yourself or adding to your investment portfolio!

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