Foreclosures - America's Newest Land Rush

By Debbie Newman

In the United States, the economic crisis is only continuing to get worse. Bank foreclosures and pre-foreclosures are at the highest number since the time of the Great Depression, and contribute to over 40% of the houses currently sold. Every day we hear on the news about another bank failing and the government debating on whether or not to bail them out. So many Americans are losing their homes and having their dreams crushed.

So what happens to homes after they're foreclosed? Obviously, someone else will gain from another's loss, which means that some good can come from this crisis. Foreclosed homes are usually sold at auctions for factions of their worth. Lenders will allow the foreclosed homes to sell well below market value, just to quickly recover any loaned amount possible. This can be a good thing for others, including first time buyers and low-income families, who are looking to purchase a home for investment or to reside in. Also if you're buying a foreclosed home the bank will be more accommodating, if you have good credit, as they would prefer a mortgage payment rather then leaving the home abandoned.

The owners that are facing foreclosure will sometimes be allowed to go ahead and sell their home during the 'pre-foreclosure' period. The pre-foreclosure period can last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, depending on state laws. The public is notified through government auction sites and other listings of the homes facing foreclosure, and interested buyers are often able to work things out with the current owner and/or banks. Just like foreclosed homes at government auctions, pre-foreclosed homes are sold at low much reduced prices.

Needless to say, there are also opportunities to profit from buying both bank foreclosed and pre-foreclosed homes. Many people who have never had any interest in real estate before are now buying these homes and reselling them for great profits. Foreclosed homes can sometimes be sold for as much as 75% off of their market value. Imagine how much money a person could make by buying even just one foreclosed home and reselling for 100% profit. It happens to people that are willing to take action every day. How are these people finding out what homes are going to be sold at government auctions?

There are many government auction websites that offer all the latest information on bank foreclosures. You can find listings on current and upcoming foreclosed homes. The best foreclosure sites do charge a membership fee, however, so do some of the worth sites. So how will you know which sites offer legitimate listings and which ones don't?

The research is actually very easy to do if you read information on government auction 'review' sites. These reviews are very informative and they will keep visitors updated on the top, most trustworthy government auction membership sites. The government auction reviews test through specific criteria, and are scored according to the results. Obviously, the higher the score, the better and up-to-date the site's foreclosure details are.

Whether you're interested in simply getting a good deal on your dream home or investing for a profit, you need to read the reviews about the top government review sites before deciding which ones to enroll in. This way, you'll get all the detailed information on which sites offer the best up-to-date information on home foreclosures and avoid any scams. Here are four steps to follow to help you down the right path:

- Read free reviews at a government auction reviews

- Go to to one of the top recommended government sites and become a member

- Check out all the detailed foreclosure listings until you discover a selection of homes that you like in your price range

- If possible visit the properties of interest a then attend a government auction in your area - 23159

About the Author:

For free evaluations on the best foreclosure auction sites and which ones to avoid visit government auctions review or go direct to foreclosures and preforeclosures