Review and comparison of the Top Foreclosure Websites. Get to know where to look for the best Foreclosure Sites to Find Foreclosed Homes:
Did you know that foreclosed properties can be a viable investment option?
Foreclosed homes are typically priced lower than the market price as lenders want to write them off quickly from their homes. Whether you are looking for a foreclosed property for investment or personal residence, you can find the best listing websites in this review.
Here we will review the best foreclosure websites with features that allow you to easily find the right property. You will learn about the best foreclosure websites for different types of foreclosed properties.
Table of Contents:
- How to Find Foreclosed Homes – Top Foreclosure Sites
- List of the Best Foreclosure Websites
- Comparison Table of Top Foreclosed Homes Listings
- Bank Foreclosed Home Listing Websites
- Subscription-Based Foreclosed Home Listing Websites
- Auction Based Foreclosed Home Listing Websites
- Government Foreclosed Home Listing Websites
- FAQs on Top Foreclosure Sites
- Conclusion
How to Find Foreclosed Homes – Top Foreclosure Sites
Market Trends: Foreclosures are on the rise in the US with 32,376 foreclosed properties listed in August 2022. This represents an increase of about 57 percent as compared to the same month last year.
The following chart shows the US counties with the most foreclosed properties:
The above image shows the top 10 counties with Foreclosed Homes
[image source]
Expert Advice: When selecting a foreclosure listing website, consider the search feature and ease of accessing the details of the foreclosed properties. You should also consider the type of foreclosed sale listings such as bank-owned, sheriff’s sale, short sale, or pre-foreclosure homes.
Things to Consider When Buying Foreclosed Properties
Buying a foreclosed property is not a straightforward process. You have to consider different aspects of the foreclosed properties. It requires some research and savviness on your part. You must consider the type of property listed on the foreclosure listing website.
The following are the common types of foreclosed sale listings on the website:
#1) Bank-Owned
Bank-owned properties are owned by the lender. These properties are also listed as real-estate-owned (REO) properties. Bank-owned properties were most likely listed as foreclosure sales, but nobody offered to buy the property.
#2) Government-Owned
Government-owned properties are owned by the government. Government agencies such as the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) becomes the owner of a property when a borrower defaults on a mortgage loan guaranteed by the agencies.
#3) Pre-Foreclosure
Pre-foreclosure properties are properties that are newly listed. They are listed when a notice of default is filed by the lender after the creditor defaults on the mortgages.
#4) Sheriff-Sale
Properties listed as sheriff’s sale are sold at a public auction. These properties are listed when the borrower loses a foreclosure lawsuit.
#5) Short Sale
A short sale involves listing properties at less than the amount owed on a mortgage. Home buyers list properties for a short sale to avoid foreclosure. They are generally listed as “pending approval of the bank”.
Searching for the Right Foreclosed Property
Foreclosure listing websites greatly save time in searching for a foreclosed property for sale. You must use the correct search parameters to narrow down the property. Most of the foreclosure listing sites have filters that allow users to search for a property based on different parameters such as:
- Location
- Price
- Property type
- Number of bedrooms and bathrooms
Some foreclosure websites also provide tools that can help in narrowing down the searches. You can search for properties using potential ROI yields. This allows investors to see if the property can provide positive returns on investment. Investors can use the ROI calculator to see if the property is worth flipping or renovating.
Foreclosure listing websites also mention financing options to buy the foreclosed property. You can use these tools to make the right decision regarding foreclosed properties.
You can find many free foreclosed home listings. But some offer subscription services. You will need to pay a monthly or yearly fee to access the advanced search option to buy the right foreclosed property. The search option allows you to buy a property that meets your exact requirements.
Risks of Buying a Foreclosed Home
Foreclosed properties have specific risks that you need to know before investing. Here are some of the common risks associated with foreclosures:
#1) Difficulty in Getting a Loan
Financing foreclosed properties is not easy. You may not be able to get a conventional mortgage loan for foreclosed properties. An FHA loan is also not approved for foreclosed homes. You can get a rehab loan for foreclosures. But getting approval takes a lot of time. Also, it may not be economical to flip a house with a rehab loan.
#2) Paying More than Market Value
Another risk with foreclosed homes is that you may end up paying more than the market value of the house for foreclosed homes. The risk can be even greater when buying a foreclosed home at an auction. Competing buyers may ‘spite bid’ due to which the bid price will end up being more than the market price.
You can lower the risk of overpaying for a foreclosed home at an auction by setting a budget. You should set a maximum bid amount that is based on the current market price of the property. A little due diligence will help you avoid paying more than the market value of the foreclosed property.
#3) As-Is Status
The seller of a foreclosed home is not under any legal obligation to disclose faults. The rules of caveat emptor apply when buying foreclosed homes. You should arrange for a licensed inspection of the foreclosed home before buying.
#4) Additional Expenses
Many homeowners don’t account for the additional expenses required after buying a foreclosed home. You should budget for extra fees such as title fees, transfer taxes, and liens on the property. Sometimes buyers will also have to pay fees due from foreclosed home buyers.
You must calculate the ROI before buying a foreclosed property for investment purposes. Make sure you plan for unexpected hits related to buying a foreclosed home.
List of the Best Foreclosure Websites
Popular free foreclosure listings:
- Realtor.com
- Equator
- New Silver FlipScout
- Zillow Foreclosure Center
- Trulia
- Bank of America
- RealtyTrac
- Auction.com
- HomePath.com
- HUD Foreclosures
- HUDHomes
Comparison Table of Top Foreclosed Homes Listings
Website Name | Best For | Types of Foreclosure Sale Listings | Tools & Filters Offered | Ratings ***** |
---|---|---|---|---|
Realtor.com | Finding a large portfolio of foreclosed and other types of properties. | Foreclosures | Mortgage Calculator Refinance Calculator How Much House Can I Afford Calculator Rent vs. Buy Calculator | |
Equator | Evaluating foreclosed property investment using innovative tools. | Foreclosures, Short sales, and Auctions | Mortgage Calculator | |
New Silver FlipScout | Investors to find out foreclosed homes and rentals. | Pre-Foreclosures and Auctions | Hard Money Loan Calculator ARV Calculator Rental Calculator Cap Rate Calculator Home Appreciation Calculator BRRRR Calculator | |
Zillow Foreclosure Center | Buying and selling foreclosed homes using powerful tools. | Pre-Foreclosures, auctions, Bank-owned, New construction, Open houses | Mortgage calculator Refinance calculator Affordability calculator Amortization calculator Debt-to-Income calculator | |
Trulia | Finding out comprehensive neighborhood insights about foreclosed and bank-owned listings | Foreclosures, Bank Owned | Mortgage calculator Refinance calculator Affordability calculator |
Detailed reviews:
#1) Realtor.com
Best for finding a large portfolio of foreclosed and other types of properties.
Realtor.com can be used by new home buyers to find foreclosed homes for free. The website allows you to search for a website using a city or code. You can also connect with reliable real estate firms and agents through the platform.
The website allows you to buy and sell foreclosed properties. You can also view stats about foreclosed homes on the websites. The website also shows properties with prices reduced, recently sold, and open houses.
You can get local information about the area where the foreclosed property is located by entering the address, city, zip, or neighborhood. The site provides information such as schools, pet-friendly rentals, baby care centers, restaurants, and more so that you can make an informed decision.
Features:
- Predefined filters
- Property with price reduction
- News and insight into the foreclosed homes
- Community Information
- Mortgage calculator
Pros:
- The official website of the National Association of Realtors gives credibility to the site
- Predefined filters let you narrow down your search
- Learn about popular areas with distressed properties
- Allows realtors to list properties with ease
Cons
- List properties that are no longer on sale
Verdict: Realtor.com is the most popular website for searching just about any type of property listed in the US. The website allows you to know about the locality and other details regarding the foreclosed property.
Price: Free
Website: Realtor.com
#2) Equator
Best for evaluating foreclosed property investments using innovative tools.
Equator is another free foreclosed listing website that lets you buy and sell properties. You can find foreclosure homes under the “buy” section of the website. The website also lists open market listings and short sales. Moreover, you can find homes available through the Hubzu auction.
You can narrow down the search using filters that allow you to find the property by location, price, property type, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and potential ROI yields. The website also offers a Signature Buyer tool that offers advanced analytics on foreclosed, short sales, and other properties in select locations.
Features:
- Signature Buyer Analytics
- Filter results with multiple parameters
- Mortgage and potential ROI yield calculator
- Short sales, foreclosures, and auctions
- Find agents and lenders
Pros:
- Provides information on potential yields on investment
- Allows you to connect with real estate agents, lenders, and service providers
- Invest in properties using cryptocurrency
- SaaS platform allows buyers to manage distressed home listings
Cons:
- The search feature looks outdated
Verdict: Equator offers a combination of property listings and deep analytics so that you can make the right home-buying decision. The website also offers tools to buyers to effectively manage foreclosed properties from listings to final sales.
Price: Free
Website: Equator
#3) New Silver FlipScout
Best for investors to find foreclosed homes and rentals.
New Silver Flip Scout is targeted at investors who want to find information about foreclosed properties with positive ROI. The website aggregates results from multiple sources to provide detailed information on different properties.
Investors can find out about properties that are ideal for flips and rentals. You can narrow down the results by selecting single and multifamily homes. Home searches are saved and you get alerts for new opportunities.
Features:
- ROI and rental income
- Narrow search by address, zip code, and city
- Fix and flip properties
- Searches auctions, on-market, and foreclosures
Pros:
- Rehabilitation costs are calculated for each property
- Provides information on flip and rental properties
- View ROI, ARV, and profit amount for each property
Cons:
- Home search speed is not optimized
Verdict: New Silver FlipScout is great for investors looking for house flips and rentals. The website provides alerts about hot properties. It aggregates information from different sources to provide comprehensive information about foreclosed properties.
Price: Free
Website: New Silver FlipScout
#4) Zillow Foreclosure Center
Best for buying and selling foreclosed homes using powerful tools.
Zillow Foreclosure Center is another popular free foreclosure website listing website. The website can be used by buyers and sellers. You can customize the search process as the website allows you to search the foreclosed property by location or cost.
The website provides powerful tools to search for foreclosed properties. You can find bank-owned, foreclosed auctions and pre-foreclosure properties listed on the comprehensive Zillow database. You can also search for specific foreclosed properties by typing keywords or excluding certain features when searching for foreclosed opportunities.
Features:
- Traditional and foreclosed properties
- Search by location, home type, price, and bedrooms and bathrooms
- Insights about owning a foreclosed property
Pros:
- User intuitive interface
- Search for properties by home type, price, location, number of bedrooms, and bathrooms, and special keywords
- Filter homes by excluding certain features
- Extensive search parameters
Cons:
- Do not provide information about the type of foreclosed listing
Verdict: Zillow Foreclosure Center is a user intuitive website for searching for the required information on foreclosed properties. You can find information about foreclosed properties listed in the robust Zillow database.
Price: Free
Website: Zillow Foreclosure Center
#5) Trulia
Best for finding comprehensive neighborhood insights about foreclosed properties
Trulia has a user-intuitive search feature that allows you to quickly find the required foreclosed property. You can use a predefined filter to locate foreclosed properties in a specific area. The website search feature allows you to search for foreclosed properties by town. To search foreclosed properties, you must select Foreclosures for the listing property type.
The website was recently bought by Zillow which extended its features of the website. It provides information about home prices using the listing and public data. The site also provides visual information about the crime rate using stats from CrimeReports.com
Features:
- Crime Maps
- Transit and Walking scores
Pros:
- Learn about price trends in an area and compare them with other locations
- Crime maps offer statistics about crime in the area gathered by CrimeReports.com
- Find out about transport and other conveniences
- Provide information about natural hazards like wildfires, earthquakes, and floods
Cons
- Lack of dedicated customer support
Verdict: Trulia is a great free online site for finding homes for sale or rent. The website contains a comprehensive list of foreclosed properties. The information is more detailed as available on most competitor websites.
Price: Free
Website: Trulia
Bank Foreclosed Home Listing Websites
#6) Bank of America
Best for finding bank-owned REOs all over the US.
Bank of America also lists foreclosed properties. You can visit the BoA website to search for foreclosed properties owned by banks or real estate agencies. The website allows you to search for a property by entering your address, zip code, city, or state.
The website has a lot of helpful resources and tools to buy the right foreclosed properties. The affordability calculator lets you find out how much you can afford to pay for foreclosed homes. You can also find out about the closing costs and important information required for buying a foreclosed home.
Features:
- Closing cost calculator
- Home loan guide
- Affordability calculator
Pros:
- Lots of tools to help make foreclosed home-buying decisions easier
- Better Money Habits provides tips to consider before and after buying a property
- Learn about the different options to finance foreclosed homes
Cons:
- Limited to bank-owned homes
Verdict: Bank of America provides free resources to find bank-owned foreclosed homes. The best thing about the website is the online tools that allow you to make an informed home-buying decision.
Price: Free
Website: Bank of America
Subscription-Based Foreclosed Home Listing Websites
#7) RealtyTrac
Best for realtors and investors buying foreclosed properties.
RealtyTrac is a subscription-based service that lists foreclosed and other properties. The website provides detailed statistics about each location not offered by any other website. You can learn about crime rates, environmental risks, purchase history, taxes, and much more.
The website allows you to search properties with a powerful search feature. You can learn about hot opportunities and search for properties by price, square footage, number of beds and baths, and listing dates.
Features:
- Save property searches and notes
- Sales and Trends Section
- Market Insights
Pros:
- Find detailed market trends and stats
- Learn about pre-foreclosure, bank-owned REOs, and foreclosed properties
- Powerful search parameters allow you to search by price, footage, and hot properties
Cons:
- Foreclosed homes database is not accurate
- Subscription fees are costly
Verdict: RealtyTrac is a great website for home investors. The foreclosed homes available on the website are generally bought in bulk by large investors. The website is not targeted at the general public or small investors.
Price:
- $49.95 per month
- Trial: Yes | 7 days
Website: RealtyTrac
Auction Based Foreclosed Home Listing Websites
#8) Auction.com
Best for searching foreclosed properties that are listed to be auctioned online or in person.
Auction.com is the best website if you are looking for homes that are at various stages in the foreclosure process. You can find out about short sales, bank-owned, and properties that are sold through an auction. The website allows you to bid against others for foreclosed properties.
The foreclosed listing auction website allows you to search for a property by asset type and condition. You can filter vacant properties and also bargain properties available for less than $50,000.
The website also offers a lot of different information to access the value of the properties. You can look at property details, opening bids, estimated resale value, photos, and other information.
Features:
- Lists Foreclosed, bank-owned, and short sales
- Search homes by condition, asset type, buying type, and location
- Help Center
Pros:
- The website offers a comprehensive listing of foreclosed properties
- You can find out more about in-person and online auction listings
- Know about bargain properties that are under $50,000
- Search vacant properties
Cons:
- List only foreclosed properties available for auction
Verdict: Auction.com is the best website if you are looking for information regarding auction listings. The website provides convenient search parameters to find specific properties.
Price: Free
Website: Auction.com
Government Foreclosed Home Listing Websites
#9) HomePath.com
Best for finding bank-owned foreclosures for sale.
HomePath.com lists a lot of different foreclosed homes. The website is owned by Fannie Mae and is also known as the Federal National Mortgage Association. You can find thousands of foreclosed properties that are sold by the federal home loan provider.
Fannie Mae created a website to unload thousands of foreclosed properties that it bought during the 2008 mortgage crisis. You can buy homes lost to homeowners due to forfeiture, deed-in-lieu, or foreclosures.
Features:
- Lists foreclosed condos and homes
- Multiple financing options
- HomePath Ready Buyer program
Pros:
- Comprehensive list of bank-owned foreclosed properties
- Properties available for sale to both first-time buyers and investors
- Own foreclosed homes with as little as a 3 percent down payment
Cons:
- Properties sold as-is require careful consideration before buying
- Cannot buy a home directly from Fannie Mae
Verdict: HomePath.com lists all bank-owned foreclosed homes that are owned by Fannie Mae. Some of the properties listed have been renovated. But these are sold as-is, which means you need to do due diligence to buy the right property.
Price: Free
Website: HomePath.com
#10) HUD Foreclosures
Best for finding online resources to locate foreclosed and other types of properties listed by government agencies.
HUD Foreclosure website lists online resources where you can find government-owned properties. The website lists website links for government agencies that sell single and multifamily homes. The free listing information is provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The HUD website provides links to various government services. You can select links that point to the Press Rooms, Office of Inspector General, No Fear Act, and other resources.
Features:
- Search for info on government-owned homes
- Single-family and Multifamily properties
- Learn about Opportunity Zones
Pros:
- Find homes with U.S. Marshall Services, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and more
- Look for homes listed by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae homes
- Lets you know about single-family and multifamily homes
Cons:
- No search parameters for finding homes
Verdict: HUD Foreclosures simply lists the resources to find houses available for sale. You can find government websites that offer listings of homes. The site does not have a dedicated search feature to find foreclosed properties.
Price: Free
Website: HUD Foreclosures
#11) HUDHomes
Best for finding HUD-approved home listings for free.
HUDHomes is the website of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for finding foreclosed properties. HUD buys properties when borrowers default on mortgage loans guaranteed by a government agency.
The HUDHomes website lists approved agents and brokers who can help you buy foreclosed properties owned by the government agency. You can search for properties by status and characters. The site allows you to narrow down your search through status, type, and number of bedrooms and bathroom search criteria.
Features:
- Filter by property type, beds/baths, and status
- Closing agent and broker search
- Recent searches and listings
- HUD Special Programs: $1 Homes-Government Sales, HUD-Approved Nonprofits, and Good Neighbor Next Door
Pros:
- Find all HUD-owned homes at low prices
- Connect with a HUD-registered broker or agent to buy HUD-owned foreclosed properties
- Look at a map to learn more about foreclosed properties for sale in different states
Cons:
- Navigating the website can be confusing
Verdict: HUDHomes is the best website to find government-owned foreclosed properties. The site may be a little confusing to
Price: Free
Website: HUDHomes
FAQs on Top Foreclosure Sites
You can find foreclosed by visiting the local county office. Moreover, you can ask a realtor about foreclosed homes in a particular region. But the best way to find a lot of foreclosed properties is online through a property listing website.
The best website for auction listings of foreclosed homes is Auction.com. If you are looking for the best government foreclosure websites, you should visit HUD Home Store. The best site for investing in foreclosed properties is the Equator and Zillow Foreclosure.
You can visit the government Housing and Urban Development (HUD) website for foreclosed properties. You can also search for foreclosed properties on property listing websites.
Buying a foreclosed home is worth the investment. Most foreclosed homes are priced lower than the market value. This means that you will get a bargain when you buy foreclosed homes.
Most property listing websites don’t charge anything for searching foreclosed properties. You can find the best-foreclosed home deals by simply using the search feature of property listing websites.
You can get the best deals for foreclosure properties at Realtor.com. The foreclosure listing website is the official website of the National Association of Realtors (NAR). It features a large database of foreclosed homes near me that you can search by address, square footage, and bedrooms.
You can get a list of foreclosures in your area by visiting the foreclosure listing websites such as realtor.com, New Silver FlipScout, and Zillow Foreclosure Center. You can send an email to the listing agent mentioned on the foreclosure listing website to learn more about foreclosures in your area.
Conclusion
Foreclosure home listing websites list foreclosure homes for sale all over the country. New Silver Flipscout is the best site to find the ideal foreclosed properties for investment purposes using market analytics.
The best website for managing and selling foreclosed properties is the Equator. Aution.com is the best website for finding out about short sales and bank-owned foreclosed sales.
HUD Home Store is the best website to find HUD-approved home listings for free. Zillow Foreclosure Center is the right website for you to narrow your search by including keywords or excluding home features.
Suggested Review: Best online auction websites
Research Process:
- Time Taken to Research this Article on Foreclosure Sites: Crafting the article on foreclosed homes for sale websites took about 10 hours so that you can buy the best foreclosure homes for sale.
- Total Foreclosure Sites Researched: 15
- Top Foreclosure Sites Shortlisted: 11