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cantholdmd asked:
Do you really have to pay monthly fees to get foreclosure listings and info?? I would like to get a foreclosure and rehab it but everywhere I look is some kind of free trial, then a monthly fee to get the listings. I did one free trial and it seemed like the info was worthless because I found the same listings on other websites for free. Any advice?
Do you really have to pay monthly fees to get foreclosure listings and info?? I would like to get a foreclosure and rehab it but everywhere I look is some kind of free trial, then a monthly fee to get the listings. I did one free trial and it seemed like the info was worthless because I found the same listings on other websites for free. Any advice?
Tags: Foreclosure Listings, Foreclosures, Free Trial
September 12th, 2007 |
September 15th, 2007 at 5:25 am
If you are serious about it, go get a real estate license (need to take a course and pass some exams - time comsuming but not hard). You will then (once you are affiliated with a broker) have access to the multiple listing service and much, much better info on what is available right now (if you are more interested in pre-foreclosure ie stuff that may go into foreclosure but hasn’t yet, then look for legal papers or even local papers but chasing these is very, very time-consuming and takes alot of work, but also worth it).
For HUD (government) listings these come out every friday and are published on the web (go to and poke around until you where these are done for your state), but finding these is of little help becuase you need to bid on these thru a realtor (another great reason to get a license).
You can also read books with different ideas on this, but really if you are serious you may need to be a realtor (note you never have to sell anything for anyone but yourself). It puts you 10 steps ahead of most of the competition.
Also, FYI, this requirement may be less important as more is done on the web, but still for now you’ve got to be a realtor - it was even worse when I started doing this.
September 16th, 2007 at 1:55 pm
Watch for auctions as you drive around. Another thing you can do is go to the local courthouse and do some court reseach at the recorder of deeds office. The computers are public, look for quit deeds, ect. some counties/states you can look for actual foreclosure filings.
Also, many counties in the US have tax sale auctions, which means they foreclose on the home for the amount of taxes owed. Sometimes you can get a house very cheap.
Another great site is
My mom’s house was recently sold on here as it went into foreclosure. The guy who bid on the house ended up getting it for $14,000. That’s fourteen thousand. Unbelieveable. Last time it had been appraised it was valued at over $100,000.
September 17th, 2007 at 8:29 pm
Find yourself a great Realtor. That is why there are professionals in any field. Yes, it isn’t rocket science to get a real estate license, but to be really good at it and competent is quite another story. I learned the hard way, that it pays to find a knowledgeable and experienced Realtor and yes, pay them a commission (gasp) They know what they are doing and almost always (again only for really good realtors) will save you money in the long run and help you avoid doing something stupid. Trust me on this one. A good Realtor will help you find good pre-foreclosure and post foreclosure properties and advise you regarding pricing for buying it and pricing for selling it. It’s just like trying to practice law by yourself. Ya there is that company that you can get all the legal forms you want and has quickie reports on how to represent yourself, and sure, it sound tempting to save some money by being a do it yourselfer, but be warned, when a lot of money is at stake, is it really work the risk? I think not. Do it yourselfing in great for home improvement and for older cars, but that’s about it. Even travel do-it yourselfers are starting to feel the pain and realize their time is much better spent working on other things and leaving their hard earned vacation dollars in the hands of a competent, experienced travel agent. Just think of the consequences to our overall economy if we all become do it yourselfers. Yes, it can help us in the short run, but if the whole economy suffers, it catches up with the individual eventually. Okay, sorry for the sermon. Just go get yourself a good real estate agent, okay?