For those looking to get a foot on the property ladder, distressed properties are an opportunity to secure a highly favourable deal
Having your property repossessed is any homeownerís worst nightmare. In the current economic climate, distressed properties represent a cautionary tale about the impact of changing interest rates and the overall increase in the cost of living, and making pragmatic, financially sound decisions as a result, says Andrea Tucker, Director of MortgageMe.
However, distressed properties can present a great buy for homebuyers and investors, provided you purchase sensibly with a full picture of the pros and cons.
What is a distressed property?
These days, banks are keen to find fair and equitable solutions for defaulters and offer assisted property sales programmes, which has changed the landscape of distressed sales. “There are essentially three kinds of ‘distressed’ properties: sales in execution, bank-mandated sales and properties in possession. Each represents a different purchase process and different benefits and advantages for the buyer. For the seller, it means they have reached the end of the road and are unable to meet the repayments on the property and the bondholder is looking to recoup their losses,” says Tucker.
Sale in execution
A sale in execution follows a process set in motion by the bank when a borrower has persistently defaulted on their bond repayments. After the bank has secured a judgement against the defaulter, the Sheriff of the Court attaches their moveable assets for auction. If these items do not raise the total amount of arrears, then the property itself becomes a sale in execution.
In sales in execution, which are always conducted via auction bids, there is an obligation by the bank to set a minimum reserve price, which has put an end to the practice of selling off properties for ridiculously low sums. “Immediately on conclusion of a sale in execution, the buyer is obliged to pay a 10% deposit plus the sheriff’s commission, therefore funds must be available to meet these upfront costs,” says Tucker.
Bank mandated sale
In a bank mandated sale, when the bond holder is unable to keep up with monthly repayments, they voluntarily hand over the property to the bank to sell on their behalf.
Tucker adds that bank-mandated sales are generally set at more realistic market-related prices. “The bondholder gives the bank a mandate to sell the property, who in turn appoints an estate agent to affect the actual sale. The seller has the right to decline an offer to purchase as in any commercial transaction, although if they refuse or are unable to sell the property, the bank may eventually instigate legal proceedings and so most reasonable offers would likely be considered.”
Properties in possession
If a property does not reach its minimum reserve at auction or does not sell with a bank mandate, then the bank itself will buy it back and it becomes a property in possession, in other words, repossessed. “Offers on these properties must be made to the bank via an appointed agent and can be declined or accepted at the bank’s discretion. Since repossession is a bank’s last resort it is sometimes more likely they will consider offers on the lower end of the scale,” says Tucker.
Where to find distressed properties
Distressed properties are listed in the Government Gazette (sheriffís auctions) or on most property portals. Tucker says that once you know where to look, youíll find all the properties available for sale.
