How to Find Out If a Home Is In Foreclosure
Visit your county's recorder's office., Check public auction listings., Try contacting your neighbor.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Visit your county's recorder's office.
Your local offices will have information on all of the homes in your community.
You can find your local recorder's office in the phone book, or by searching online.Once you've found your local records office, you can search for the property by the homeowner's name.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.
Try checking back on a weekly or monthly basis, as records tend to be updated fairly regularly. -
Step 2: Check public auction listings.
These listings are available online and in your county's recorder's office.
These listings typically include both the street address and the homeowner's name.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.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. , If you know your neighbor and fear that his home is being foreclosed, you may want to try talking to him, if you're comfortable doing so.
Perhaps the rumors you heard about his impending foreclosure were false, or perhaps your neighbor did default on his mortgage but was able to get caught up on his payments.
Either way, if you have a good relationship with your neighbor, speaking with him directly may save you a lot of time and trouble. -
Step 3: Try contacting your neighbor.
Detailed Guide
Your local offices will have information on all of the homes in your community.
You can find your local recorder's office in the phone book, or by searching online.Once you've found your local records office, you can search for the property by the homeowner's name.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.
Try checking back on a weekly or monthly basis, as records tend to be updated fairly regularly.
These listings are available online and in your county's recorder's office.
These listings typically include both the street address and the homeowner's name.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.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. , If you know your neighbor and fear that his home is being foreclosed, you may want to try talking to him, if you're comfortable doing so.
Perhaps the rumors you heard about his impending foreclosure were false, or perhaps your neighbor did default on his mortgage but was able to get caught up on his payments.
Either way, if you have a good relationship with your neighbor, speaking with him directly may save you a lot of time and trouble.
About the Author
Kathryn Ross
With a background in agriculture and gardening, Kathryn Ross brings 3 years of hands-on experience to every article. Kathryn believes in making complex topics accessible to everyone.
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