What Is a HUD Home?

A HUD home is a one to four-unit residence acquired in a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage foreclosure. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) reimburses the lender for its losses in foreclosure, takes the property and turns it over to a management company for sale. The management company secures the home against vandalism, has the property inspected and appraised, then puts it up for bidding. In addition, there may be bills like property tax unpaid or utility bills that the management company needs to pay before the property can be sold.

Good Neighbor Next Door

HUD homes can be purchased at half the list price with as little as $100 down through its Good Neighbor Next Door program. Law enforcement officers, pre-kindergarten through 12th grade teachers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians can qualify for this program as long as they commit to living in the home for at least three years.

Where Do You Find HUD Homes?

HUD homes are listed online; you can review properties in your area and then contact a buyer's agent who will help you through the process. You can inspect the property before submitting a bid, but you may not enter a house without your broker/agent for any reason prior to closing. Brokers and/or agents must be on the premises when home inspections, appraisals or certifications are being performed.

Bidding

Many properties are only available for what is called the "priority period" to buyers who will use them as primary residences. If no acceptable bids come in during the priority period, bidding is opened up to all. (The date this happens is noted on the property information.) You must have a mortgage approval letter or prequalification letter from a lender before you can submit a bid. If you plan to pay cash, you must prove you have the funds with a bank statement. It may take some time to close the deal -- if you need to be in a home within 60 days, a HUD home is probably not for you.

Sold AS-IS

HUD homes are sold "as-is," and no repairs are done before you close on your property. HUD's management company, MCB, is CLEAR: "HUD does not guarantee the condition of any property, FHA-insurable or not, nor whether it meets local codes or zoning requirements. Purchasers are advised that there may be code and/or zoning violations on these properties and that it is the responsibility of the purchaser to identify these violations." In other words, buyer beware.

FHA financing

Finally, some homes are not eligible for FHA financing, even though the previous mortgage on the property was an FHA loan. Don't bid on those if you plan on using an FHA loan.

Submitting a Bid

Your broker submits a bid on your behalf. HUD pays closing costs of up to 3% of the purchase price, including a mortgage origination fee of up to 1%, as well as the real estate broker's commission. However, these expenses come off the top when the management company evaluates all the bids. Winning bids must meet a minimum threshold and also yield the highest net to HUD. The winning bidder receives provisional acceptance subject to receipt of all required documents.

Escrow

Once a bid is accepted, an original Sales Contract Package must be submitted within 48 hours or your purchase is dead. Earnest money must be paid within 72 hours of receipt of instructions from the management company. Winning bidders must specify the type of financing they will be using and who will be on the loan -- any changes have to be followed with addenda or else your transaction is terminated.

Once your bid is accepted, you can request copies of the appraisal and all inspections from the management company. If there is a homeowners association, its transfer fees and any outstanding bills will have to be approved by the management company which can create a delay and add weeks to the escrow. It's your real estate agent's job to submit 15-day extensions as needed to keep your purchase going. Failure to do so will cost you your earnest money and get your contract canceled.

Financing

You can not assume a mortgage when you buy a HUD home. You must obtain financing or pay cash. Homes deemed insurable can be financed with FHA loans, and those requiring some repair can be purchased with FHA 203(b) with repair escrow or  rehab 203(k) mortgages. Uninsurable homes usually require extensive repair and must be bought with conventional loans or cash. Keep in mind the extended time it takes to close on these purchases when locking in your mortgage rate. Expect the escrow to take anywhere from 45 -60 days.