National real estate brokers are opening REO divisions and scrambling to ink exclusive rights to REO listings with banks in order to capitalize on the growing REO market. 

With more big players entering the market, finding investment diamonds in the rough may become even harder for individuals.  Of course big brokers stepping in to walk individuals through the sometimes difficult process of buying an REO property will also open up the market to people who may have not considered such properties in the past.

Interesting article on the REO boom in Nashville