Best Websites to Find Foreclosed Homes for Sale
There are more foreclosure opportunities showing up right now than we have seen in the last several years.
And look, that does not mean every foreclosure is automatically a good deal.
But if you are trying to buy a home, invest in real estate, or find a property below market value, foreclosures and short sales may be worth looking at.
The key is knowing where to search.
Here are some of the best websites I would personally check if I were looking for a foreclosed home.
1. Zillow
The easiest place to start is Zillow.
Search your city or ZIP code, then use the listing filters to look for foreclosures, auctions, bank-owned homes, and pre-foreclosures.
Zillow is simple, familiar, and easy to use, so this is usually the first place most buyers should check.
Just remember: not every pre-foreclosure is actually for sale yet.
2. Realtor.com
Realtor.com is another solid place to search for foreclosures.
Once you enter your area, look for the foreclosure or auction filter. This can help you narrow the listings down to distressed properties, bank-owned homes, and foreclosure opportunities.
This is a good option if you want to compare foreclosure listings with regular homes for sale.
3. HUD Home Store
HUD Home Store is where you can search for HUD-owned homes.
These are properties that were originally financed with FHA loans and later went into foreclosure.
One of the biggest benefits is that some HUD homes may be purchased with FHA financing, depending on the property condition and program guidelines.
So if you are an FHA buyer, this is definitely a website to know about.
4. Fannie Mae HomePath
Fannie Mae HomePath is the official website for Fannie Mae-owned foreclosure properties.
These are homes that had conventional loans and eventually became Fannie Mae real estate owned properties.
If you are trying to buy a foreclosure with conventional financing, HomePath is a great place to search.
5. Freddie Mac HomeSteps
Freddie Mac HomeSteps is very similar, but for Freddie Mac-owned homes.
These are also conventional loan properties that went through foreclosure and are now being resold.
HomeSteps can be a good option for buyers who want to search foreclosure properties that may still qualify for conventional financing.
6. Auction.com
Auction.com is a different animal.
This is usually better for serious investors, especially buyers who have cash or very strong financing already lined up.
A lot of auction properties move fast, and some may not qualify for normal mortgage financing.
So if you are brand new, be careful.
But if you are an investor and you know how to run numbers, this can be a powerful place to find foreclosure deals.
The Bottom Line
Foreclosed homes can be a great opportunity, but they are not automatically cheap, easy, or risk-free.
Before you buy one, make sure you understand the property condition, title, financing rules, repair costs, and whether the home can even qualify for the loan you want to use.
Start with Zillow and Realtor.com for easy searches.
Then check HUD Home Store, Fannie Mae HomePath, and Freddie Mac HomeSteps for government or agency-owned properties.
And if you are a serious investor, Auction.com may be worth looking at.
