I am looking into foreclosure properties as well.  It looks like RealtyTrac and ForeclosureData are popular databases.  But I also want to hook up with lenders directly.

I have found RealtyTrac to be the best source of pre-foreclosure info for me. Anytime I'm writing an offer on a property, I search through RealtyTrac if the property isn't listed in any of their categories ... knowing they are may help when it comes to negotiating the price!

Magdalena, try to search in the Reliberation archive for topics on pre-foreclosures and short sales ... there have been couple of great posts with this topic!

I hook up with lenders and a title company for pre-foreclosure information.  I don't bother with RealtyTrac or any of the others as most likley the information you get is already dated and may be useless, although I imagine that at least some of the information is still valid. You can also go down to the county court house to get up to date with Lis Pendens motions that have been filed, which is where the most recent and accurate information will be.

To piggy back on what Lew said about the county, they may go one step further and publish a foreclosure list.  Often it's available in print as well as electronic media.  Hope this helps.

Most counties publish it in the newspaper. The only problem with that is, it will foreclose within 30 days. You have to be quick if you use it. The courthouse has the most up to date info. If you are nice to the people in the tax office they might even help you get started with the search. Some won't though.

Lew is right, try to get hooked up with some lenders. It takes alot of work to get the business from them but is well worth it in the end.

Call your title company. Realty Trac is expensive and the leads are well...Can't say that here. The title company gets them the day after their default letters are sent to the owner and the leads are FREE!

$49/month is a lot to pay for dated info.  I will try tapping into the court records and lenders.  I did hook up with a loan officer who was seeking my business.  She found several pre and foreclosured homes for me.

Some counties in Illinois offer free online case information, but it can be cumbersome to sift through (especially in Cook County).  Others allow access for a fee.    Go to the courthouse the day of a sheriff's sale and you will probably be successful finding someone who tracks and sells county lists (lis pendens, motions) for a fee.

Getting the information is the easy part...knocking on the door of a family with toys and bikes outside is quite challenging.  I'd rather work with the bank any day of the week.