Harryp

Drive around during the day. Go back and drive around the same streets at dusk. Repeat at 11pm. That will tell you a lot. - Fri Mar 28 2008, 12:46

By approved, you mean registered? Only registerd brokers can submit bids, and the broker is required to submit an application to become registered. I am told it is not hard to become registered, so are we talking the same thing? To become registered, the broker has to prove who they are and send copies of their real estate licenses, driver license, social security card and more. Not until their application is accepted can they submit a bid.

From the official HUD site:

How are HUD Homes sold?
All properties available for purchase by the public are offered for sale at Internet listing sites maintained by management companies under contract to HUD. Any real estate broker registered with HUD may submit an offer and contract to purchase on your behalf. HUD pays the real estate broker's commission, if included in the contract.

http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/reo/reobuyfaq.cfm

I assume that in areas where there are few HUD homes, the investment of time to keep up on the rules and regs makes it unproductive and that is why there are not more approved brokers. - Thu Mar 27 2008, 14:51

Good for you JR. Telling a buyer why a seller is moving is helping a buyer. Good to know that you do right for your sellers. - Thu Mar 27 2008, 13:47

As a buyer, I want to see all I can see. As a seller, I would not authorize my property to be placed in mulitple listing databases if too much information was made available for every Tom, Dick and Harry to have at it. Push too hard and you will end up with nothing. I heard in some areas a few big brokers pulled out of mls already. - Fri Mar 21 2008, 08:43

Pay a Realtor a fee and ask them for their advice. You can offer them a flat fee of a few hundred for a price estimate. - Fri Mar 21 2008, 13:34

Almost every response here was self serving and unhelpful. - Fri Mar 21 2008, 08:49