Once you’ve found your local records office, you can search for the property by the homeowner’s name. [3] X Research source Some offices maintain their records in print form, while others have switched to digital archives. Don’t be afraid to ask the office clerk if you need assistance. [4] X Research source Try checking back on a weekly or monthly basis, as records tend to be updated fairly regularly.
Try searching online for real estate listings in your area. You can use a real estate advertising service like http://www. mls. com/ForeclosureListings/, or try an online real estate database like Zillow. Online databases like Zillow typically allow you to search using filters. Just select “Pre-foreclosure” while searching for home listings in your area. [6] X Research source Searching for pre-foreclosure homes allows you to see property listings that have not yet been brought to market but whose homeowners are currently in default on mortgage payments.
Use an online search engine to find banks with foreclosure listings in your area. Narrow your search by selecting the city or county you reside in.
Visit http://ushud. com/ if you’re searching for a home in the United States. Enter your zip code and browse the listings to see if an address you’re worried about has been included in the list. If you live outside the United States, search online for your national or regional housing offices.
Newspapers in the property’s county are required to publish a listing of homes slated for auction. Typically listed as a Notice of Sale, these listings run regularly over varying periods of time, depending on where the auction is held. In some states the listing will run for a period of three weeks, while in other states the listing must run at least once every week for a period of five weeks. [10] X Research source
In some states the foreclosure auction may be run by the local sheriff’s department, called a Sheriff’s Sale. [13] X Research source Some states permit the lender to foreclose without having to go to court or involve the sheriff’s department. These foreclosures are called a Trustee’s Sale, and typically involve a trust deed instead of a mortgage. [14] X Research source
Some mortgage lenders will allow borrowers to work out a special forbearance, which adjusts the terms of the mortgage to avoid going into foreclosure. [16] X Research source
This is known as the redemption period. Generally banks will not resell a foreclosed property during the redemption period and will maintain the property during this period of time.
