With the recent increase in foreclosures, I have been getting a lot of people asking about where they can get foreclosure information; how can you find foreclosures?
How can you find foreclosures?
Visit the County Office of the Clerk-Recorder
Foreclosure information such as "Notice of Default" and "Notice of Trustee Sale" is recorded with the county. When you visit, be sure to ask when they have their sales in which you can bid on foreclosures. You may have to pay a nominal feel for copy of the pages, etc.
Santa Clara County Office of the Clerk-Recorder Santa Clara County provides an online search. Search results for "Notice of Default" include the document numbers but not the parcel number or address. You will have to physically go down to the office to get that information. Search results for "Notice of Trustee Sale" do include the parcel number.
Monterey County Recorder-County Clerk Monterey County provides an online search. Again, the search results include the document numbers which you will have to physically go down to the office to get.
Search Bank Websites
Banks often post their bank-owned/real estate owner (REO) properties online.
HUD REO The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
HomeSales.gov The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Agriculture (USDA/Rural Development), and Veterans Affairs (VA) have homes listed on this site.
Search the MLS
Often homeowners that are in the foreclosure process will try to sell their home. The agent will post the home in the MLS and unless you follow who is getting a notice of default you might never even know that they are in the foreclosure process. Banks often use a real estate broker/agent to help sell their bank owned properties and agent. The agent will post it in the MLS and these properties should disclose that it is bank-owned in the remarks.
Visit a Title Company
Title companies have access to the information and you might find a title company that will work with you. They normally work with companies in the real estate business but you might find one that will help you and may charge a fee.
Use a Real Estate Agent
Real estate agents often know which properties are foreclosures or in the foreclosure process. They work with title companies, have knowledge from other agents and clients, subscribe to services, visit the county, and are familiar with MLS listings.
