Using California Foreclosure Listings

Find useful business property using California foreclosure listings

By Jennifer Ehlenfeldt, Freelance Writer
Using a list of property foreclosures in California to find the best deals is a process that includes sifting through many old or useless listings of properties. Finding a good foreclosure website is key to making the most of the listings you find. Look for a website that offers advanced search options to narrow your options quickly and easily.

Break your search down by location or property type when searching a list of California foreclosures. If you know where you want to relocate your business, start your search within that area. Once you’ve removed the foreclosure properties that aren’t in the area, you’ll have less through which to sift. If you’re open to locating in one of several areas, but need a specific property type, keep your area search field open and specify the property type. Remember:

1. Before you start your search, make a good checklist of what you want. Include structure needs, property location and options you would like.

2. Start your search for foreclosed properties in California with either property type or location in mind as a first search option.

3. Contact the seller of pre-foreclosures directly. Consult with a licensed Realtor for help closing a foreclosure deal.

 

Begin your search for California foreclosure properties online

Find a few different foreclosure websites to use in your search. Look for search options or websites that offer free trial memberships to make sure they list all the foreclosure information you need to narrow down your search. Look for listings that include property values, sales data, loan information, local property comparisons, mapping features, photographs and e-mail notification of future foreclosures.
Try: Use search engines at the California Real Estate Center to find foreclosure homes, HUD-owned homes, REO and bank-owned foreclosures in California as well as homes for sale by owners that may be pre-foreclosures. Search by county first when using the RealtyTrac foreclosures search feature. The national website has a large selection of California listings.

Find the options for which you are looking using a California foreclosure listing website

Once you've found a few good websites to use, you'll want to search for the type of California foreclosure property listing you want. Begin your search in a specific area, or search several areas in California to find a specific property type.
Try: Get help finding the amenities you need with Harvest Properties. The real estate and investment company has California foreclosed property listings in many cities. Search ForeclosureNet using their county feature. Choose an area, and then browse the listings for the perfect business property.

Make an informed decision about any foreclosure properties in California you are considering

Once you've found a few foreclosure listings that look interesting, you have to move quickly. If the property is a pre-foreclosure, cautiously contact the current owner directly. Some owners may not know the property is on a pre-foreclosure list. If you play your cards right, you may get a great property at an even better price if the owner is looking to sell and pay off the mortgage for which he is defaulting. When properties have already foreclosed, you'll want to contact the bank or Realtor listed as owner to view the property and negotiate a price.
Try: Find help purchasing a business property in foreclosure. Hire a trained Realtor you find through the California Association of Realtors, or use the ForeclosureRadar website to gain access to the latest in California real estate foreclosure news and properties.

 

  • Pre-foreclosures are often listed without the owner's knowledge. Since they are in the mortgage default stage right before foreclosure, you'll want to use tact when dealing with owners of California foreclosures. They may be upset or even angry, or they may be really looking to get out of a mortgage they can't afford. If they are, this can be a great advantage to a buyer.