The 4 Stages of Finding Foreclosure Properties

time you turn around, the word "foreclosure" is all overadvertising play a huge role as well as networking.
the news! So, if you're a homebuyer looking to buy a2. Pre-foreclosure: This is the "hotspot" for investors.
foreclosure property or an investor wanting to learnThis is when people are getting hundreds of letters
how to invest in foreclosure property, then you'reand postcards from hungry foreclosure investors. This
timing couldn't be better!stage can last several weeks to several months or
There is a lot out there on foreclosures; from how toeven longer. The key to finding foreclosure properties
stop your own foreclosure to how to "get the deed".at this stage is consistency and persistence. There are
You could probably go to a different foreclosurea number of strategies that you can use at this time
seminar every other night for a month to learn the tips,ranging from door knocking to a sequential foreclosure
tricks and tactics.mailing and anything in between.
But... none of that matters unless you know how to3. Foreclosure: We define this stage as the "auction";
FIND FORECLOSURES. It doesn't matter how youthe actual sale at the courthouse. This is not
negotiate with homeowners, what you say to therecommended for home buyers simply looking for a
banks, or what paperwork you need to have if yougreat deal on a foreclosure property nor do we
don't find the foreclosures first.recommend it for an investor unless you are quite
We define 4 marketing stages during which you canadvanced and have a good team working with you
find foreclosures: "pre" pre-foreclosure, pre-foreclosure,because there are a lot of considerations that could
foreclosure auction, bank owned real property (afterwind up costing you money if you're not careful.
the foreclosure)4. Real Estate Owned (Bank Owned) Foreclosures:
1. "pre" pre-foreclosure: This is the one that mostForeclosure properties reach this stage when nobody
people are confused about! This is NOT the same aspurchases the home during the first 3 phases and the
"pre-foreclosure". This is BEFORE the foreclosurebank takes it back. There are lots of good deals to be
ever even begins. It's the time during which thehad once the bank takes back the foreclosed
homeowner realized he/she is going to be late onproperty. You will need a good Realtor that knows
payments - or is even a couple of months behind -how to handle the banks to help you here, but you can
and the point at which the bank starts the formalfind foreclosure deals well below market value here.
foreclosure process. Properties you can find at thisEach of these 4 stages of provides great
stage are "gold" because the homeowners aren't yetopportunities for finding foreclosures. Depending on
being bombarded by foreclosure investors. Findingwhere they are in the foreclosure process will
pre-foreclosure sellers here takes a little moredetermine how you will locate the sellers, how you will
creativity and ingenuity. This is where marketing andmarket to them, and how you negotiate the deal.