Is foreclosure a good investment?
Christopher Ramos
Updated on March 15, 2026
Buying a foreclosed home can be a good idea if you have the financial cushion to absorb any potential problems. If you aren’t worried about there being potential issues or the cost to repair them, then buying a foreclosed property is likely a worthwhile investment for you.
What makes buying a foreclosed property Risky?
One of the risks of foreclosure investing is buying a property that needs more repairs than you initially expected. In fact, foreclosed homes are typically sold «as is», meaning that the bank or the owner won’t make any repairs before putting the property up for sale.
What’s better bank owned or foreclosure?
Although buyers can sometimes get bank-owned properties at a lower price than the pre-foreclosure price or the auction price, buying the property may not be worth the risk. Bank-owned properties may be badly damaged or they may be in bad locations; buyers of bank-owned properties must proceed with caution.
Does bank owned mean foreclosure?
Bank-owned property, also known as real estate owned (REO) property, is a designation given to properties that were not sold during a foreclosure sale, and thus are added to that foreclosing bank’s inventory. Bank-owned properties tend to have low interest rates and low down payments.
Can you negotiate price on a foreclosed home?
Banks are willing to negotiate foreclosures because they are losing money on the property when it sits vacant. Banks can negotiate directly with buyers without the assistance of a real estate agent. Because they own the property, banks can set the price for any value they deem acceptable.
Do banks lose money on foreclosures?
Generally, banks lose more money on a short sale than on a foreclosure, but there are still times when a short sale is a better option. Sometimes the process of foreclosure is more expensive and involved than the bank wants to handle.