Business

Can't find foreclosures?

Here are five places to look for hundreds of homes that are in foreclosure or are bank-owned, ranging from $4,000 to $1 million-plus.

By Lynn Underwood

September 18, 2008 at 10:23PM

Home foreclosures are happening in record numbers and more buyers want in on the action. Here are five places to look for hundreds of homes that are in foreclosure or are bank-owned, ranging from $4,000 to $1 million-plus. REAL ESTATE CO. WEBSITES

• www.edinarealty.com, www.CBBurnet.com: Because of rising interest, companies such as Edina Realty and Coldwell Banker Burnet have added search buttons that designate "In Foreclosure/Lender Owned Properties" listed by Twin Cities and Minnesota real estate agents.

• www.themlsonline.com: An online Minneapolis real estate company offers a foreclosure search.

• www.remax.com: The Remax national website will add a search tool next month; some local Remax agent websites already have it.

PUBLIC RECORDS /AGENCIES

Some county websites list houses that have been sold at sheriff's sales. Search by address, mortgagor, lien type or time period.

Hennepin: www4.co.hennepin.mn.us/webforeclosure.

Dakota: www.co.dakota.mn.us/Departments/Sheriff/Foreclosure/default.htm.

Ramsey: You must go to the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office, 25 W. 4th St., No. 150, in St. Paul to look at foreclosure records. Call 651-266-9330.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: A HUD home is a residential property acquired by HUD as a result of a foreclosure action on an FHA-insured mortgage. HUD sells its homes through the BestAssets website at www.best-assets.com. Buyers must work with a real estate broker registered with HUD (listed on the website) to submit an offer.

INFORMATION AT A PRICE

National foreclosure search companies sell their real estate listings. Some sort the home listings by type, such as bank-owned, auctions or pre-foreclosures. Typically you get a seven-day free trial and then pay by the month or buy a membership package. Monthly fees vary. Some examples:

Bankhouse.com $29.95

Foreclosure.com $39.80

Realtytrac.com $49.95

CLASSIFIED ADS

Look in newspapers such as the Star Tribune or community publications under "Real estate auctions" and "HUD/VA homes for sale."

AGENTS SPECIALIZING IN FORECLOSURE

Because of the complex nature of buying a foreclosure, more agents specialize in this growing niche. Inquire at a real estate company or contact the listing agent of a foreclosed property you're interested in. You may see the same agent's name linked to several houses. Some agents market themselves as foreclosure experts on their websites or in print ads.

about the writer

about the writer

Lynn Underwood

Reporter

Lynn Underwood is a reporter for the Star Tribune's Home & Garden section covering remodeling, design, trends, new housing, architecture and gardening. She also writes for the Variety section.  

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