An REO is a "Real Estate Owned" property that has been through the foreclosure process, and has been purchased at the foreclosure auction by the lender. Often the lender is forced to take a property to the auction to eliminate or "extinguish" junior liens against the property, otherwise the lender would have to assume the responsibility off paying of these junior liens if the homeowner gave the lender a "Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure" and walked away.