New Hampshire foreclosures allow investors to capitalize on a good property deal and take it to the next level--a profitable one. The right NH foreclosure for your investment goals can be found by searching through a number of databases full of NH foreclosure listings.

Investors who purchase NH foreclosures, on average, realize a 20% savings on fair market value. Most investors then choose to renovate the property and attempt to re-sell it for a large profit.

In general, the foreclosure process involves three different stages:

1. Pre-foreclosure: The majority of New Hampshire real estate foreclosures happen outside of court. The lender sends a default notice to the homeowner and provides a time frame for payment. If not paid, the lender can start the foreclosure process.

2. Auction: A notice of sale for NH foreclosure properties is published according to law. The sale occurs at the property and is performed by the lender’s attorney or an auctioneer. Anyone may bid including the lender. The winner must pay the full bid amount within 60 days.

3. Bank-owned: The lender takes possession of the foreclosure property in NH and the sale is generally handled through a real estate agent or broker.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Search New Hampshire foreclosure listings

New Hampshire ranks 23rd in comparison to other states when it comes to the number of real estate foreclosures. Even though New Hampshire ranks in the middle of the pack, opportunities exist in the foreclosure market if you know where to look.

I recommend: Search Housing and Urban Development (HUD) foreclosures by county or area of the state and sign up for e-mail alerts for when property becomes available, at HUDforeclosed.com, a site not affiliated with the government agency. RealtyTrac offers a comprehensive list of all foreclosures. Sign up for a free 7-day trial to receive more details about a particular property.

Educate yourself on the NH foreclosures process

All the NH foreclosure listings will do you no good if you aren't sure about foreclosure investment in general. A number of tools exist to help you learn more.

I recommend: Submit your e-mail address to receive a free real estate newsletter from Foreclosure Listings Corp. Order an e-book from Foreclosure.com.

Use available resources to narrow down New Hampshire foreclosures

Make sure to compare potential properties on factors important to you and weigh those factors accordingly. One easy way to narrow down potential investment property is to calculate financial risks as well.

I recommend: Print off the home evaluation worksheet from Coldwell Banker. Use the form to help you evaluate different properties and compare them in the same categories. To help make financial decisions, use the financial calculators available from ForeclosureData.com.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The opening bid at the foreclosure auction is typically set at 70-85% of the property's fair market value.