REAL ESTATE CO. WEBSITES
• www.edinarealty.com, www.CBBurnet.com: Because of rising interest, companies such as Edina Realty and Coldwell Banker Burnet have added search buttons that designate "In Foreclosure/Lender Owned Properties" listed by Twin Cities and Minnesota real estate agents.
• www.themlsonline.com: An online Minneapolis real estate company offers a foreclosure search.
• www.remax.com: The Remax national website will add a search tool next month; some local Remax agent websites already have it.
PUBLIC RECORDS /AGENCIES
Some county websites list houses that have been sold at sheriff's sales. Search by address, mortgagor, lien type or time period.
Hennepin: www4.co.hennepin.mn.us/webforeclosure.
Dakota: www.co.dakota.mn.us/Departments/Sheriff/Foreclosure/default.htm.
Ramsey: You must go to the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office, 25 W. 4th St., No. 150, in St. Paul to look at foreclosure records. Call 651-266-9330.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: A HUD home is a residential property acquired by HUD as a result of a foreclosure action on an FHA-insured mortgage. HUD sells its homes through the BestAssets website at www.best-assets.com. Buyers must work with a real estate broker registered with HUD (listed on the website) to submit an offer.
INFORMATION AT A PRICE
National foreclosure search companies sell their real estate listings. Some sort the home listings by type, such as bank-owned, auctions or pre-foreclosures. Typically you get a seven-day free trial and then pay by the month or buy a membership package. Monthly fees vary. Some examples:
Bankhouse.com $29.95
Foreclosure.com $39.80
Realtytrac.com $49.95
CLASSIFIED ADS
Look in newspapers such as the Star Tribune or community publications under "Real estate auctions" and "HUD/VA homes for sale."
AGENTS SPECIALIZING IN FORECLOSURE
Because of the complex nature of buying a foreclosure, more agents specialize in this growing niche. Inquire at a real estate company or contact the listing agent of a foreclosed property you're interested in. You may see the same agent's name linked to several houses. Some agents market themselves as foreclosure experts on their websites or in print ads.
