What Is An REO vs Short Sale?

Here's something you might be wondering: What's the difference between an REO property and a short sale?

An REO property is one that has already gone through foreclosure and is currently owned by the bank, which is trying to sell it to a buyer.

A short sale is a real estate transaction that takes place when an owner owes more on the mortgage than the house is currently worth and the bank agrees to a sale for less than the full mortgage balance in order to avoid foreclosure. A property involved in a short sale is not bank owned.

The number of short sale transactions has increased in recent years, and you're likely to run into homes like this on the market as you view properties. As with REOs, short sales can be complicated.


TIP

Despite what you may hear on TV, buying foreclosures is not a get-rich-quick scenario. REOs can offer a way to buy property at below-market prices, but the process is different than an average home sale.

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Community Updates

Taco House

One of a kind Authentic Mexican Cuisine right here in West Okoboji! A local favorite and rated five stars by visitors young and old. Be sure to put this as a favorite on your list of places to not miss when you are vacationing in the Lakes area. Close to Terrace Park so if you are feeling up for a small walk you may walk from Terrace Park to the Taco House.

Real Estate and MLS Homes For Sale in West Okoboji

Haywards Bay

Haywards Bay in West Lake Okoboji

Haywards Bay on West Lake Okoboji boasts low approaches and one of the few areas on West Lake to offer sand beaches. Renowned for the "bay of the flags", you will know you are in Haywards bay because of the all the American flags on the end of the docks. Fishing is great in Haywards Bay and the sunsets are one in a million. To get to Haywards Bay by car, one would drive the east side of the lake on Lakeshore Dr.

Real Estate and MLS Homes For Sale in West Lake Okoboji

"Turn-Over" Thermocline

Referred to locally as the lake turning over the thermocline is a feature of lakes with deep water. The water on the top of the lake changes temperature much more variably during the year. On West Lake, it can reach as much as 75 degrees in July while the water below, greater than 35 or 40 feet deep is relatively stable around 45 degrees. In the fall and early winter, the top strata of the lake will cool to below 45 degrees, and then because it becomes denser, it will "sink" below the lower strata, thus, displacing it and making the lake "turn-over". In the deepest part of West Lake (near the 136ft mark), no light is availble, and hence little life is known whether fish or plant. Typically questions are raised as to why the surface water gets dirty for a short period of time in the fall, this this is the standard answer.

Real Estate and MLS Homes For Sale in West Lake Okoboji

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