Buying a foreclosed house can be far more affordable than a traditional home, but you have to know where to look. Free and subscription-based foreclosure websites can help you see what’s available in your area.
But for a more thorough search, nothing beats an experienced real estate agent. Agents work in your best interest to help you find a great deal in your area. They may also have insider knowledge of new foreclosures that have yet to hit the market.
| 🏡 Start house hunting: Try Clever Real Estate’s free agent matching service. Compare top local agents and start searching for your dream home today! Get started. |
What are the best foreclosure websites?
Popular sites that list foreclosures
Zillow
Zillow, the most heavily trafficked real estate website on the web, has a fairly large database of foreclosures called the "Foreclosure Center."
✍ Our take:
Zillow is a great place to start when looking for foreclosures. Zillow is free, easy to use, and fun to browse. But the inventory isn’t always comprehensive, so you should probably look elsewhere too.
Realtor.com
Realtor.com is a good source for Multiple Listing Service (MLS) foreclosure. Because it’s owned by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), it’s one of the most accurate listing platforms on the web.
✍ Our take:
Realtor.com is an excellent place to start your search for a foreclosure. But because Reatlor.com depends on the MLS for its listings, it doesn’t include off-market foreclosures, including pre-foreclosures and short sales.
Trulia
Trulia is owned by Zillow and features many of the same properties. The big difference between them is that Trulia has more information on the neighborhood and area of a foreclosed home.
✍ Our take:
Trulia and Zillow have similar information, but these sites can complement each other. For example, Trulia lists the type of foreclosure (such as auction, pre-foreclosure, and short sale). And Zillow "Zestimates" can give you an estimate of the home’s market value.
Related >> The 20 Best Home Buying Websites in 2022
Government-owned foreclosure websites
HomePath.com
HomePath is Fannie Mae’s database for foreclosures. Previous owners financed these homes with a conventional mortgage, and Fannie Mae repossessed the houses when the debt wasn’t paid.
✍ Our take:
HomePath properties are ideal for first-time home buyers who are flexible about where they live. But if you’re looking for a second home or need to live in a specific location, HomePath doesn’t have much selection.
HomeSteps.com
HomeSteps is Freddie Mac’s database for foreclosures. Like HomePath properties, these foreclosures' previous owners financed with conventional mortgages. Freddie Mac repossessed the homes when those owners couldn’t pay off the debt.
✍ Our take:
HomeSteps homes are ideal for home buyers who want a decently maintained home for a discounted price. Similar to HomePath properties, you should be very flexible about where you want to live, as the supply of HomeSteps properties is typically low.
HUDhomestore.gov
The HUD Home Store lists properties that were financed with an FHA loan and have now been repossessed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
✍ Our take:
HUD homes are best for low-income and first-time home buyers because they typically sell below market price and HUD pays some closing costs.
Subscription foreclosure websites
Foreclosure.com
Foreclosure.com has more than 1.8 million listings — one of the largest foreclosure databases. It’s free to search, but you’ll have to pay the monthly subscription fee of $39.80 to place bids or contact agents.
✍ Our take:
If you’re looking for a massive selection of foreclosures, Foreclosure.com might be a good option for you. The $39.80 monthly fee is nothing compared to the money you could save on a good property deal.
RealtyTrac
RealtyTrac is a subscription website with a massive database of foreclosures and distressed properties. The site is built for real estate investors, but home buyers can use the free trial to see foreclosed homes in their area.
✍ Our take:
RealtyTrac is ideal for real estate investors because it provides valuable property data. home buyers on the hunt for a one-time bargain might find the websites above more useful.
Foreclosure auction website
Auction.com
Auction.com is by far the largest online database of auctioned homes. The site also makes it really easy to find auctions near you and bid on foreclosures online.
✍ Our take:
Auction.com is great if you’re an experienced auctioneer. It makes it easy to find auctions and to place bids. home buyers who want to find an affordable home might do better with Zillow, Realtor.com, or any of the other websites dedicated to foreclosures.
Related >> How to Buy a Pre-Foreclosure Home — Is It a Good Idea?
Foreclosure website for investors
Equator.com
Equator.com is designed specifically for real estate investors. It can help you calculate the investment potential of homes, including foreclosed homes.
✍ Our take:
Equator.com is ideal if you’re flipping foreclosed houses and need a quick estimate of your ROI.
Bank-owned Foreclosure websites
Wells Fargo
The Wells Fargo REO (Real Estate Owned) online store sells properties that the bank has repossessed.
✍ Our take:
If you’re planning to get a mortgage through Wells Fargo, buying a foreclosure from their REO store can be a win-win. The selection is limited, but you can find some good deals.
Bank of America
Bank of America’s REO website is a database of homes the bank repossessed.
✍ Our take:
You can find a good deal on a foreclosure through Bank of America, but because the inventory is low, it might take some time to find a deal near you.
FAQ
Which foreclosure website is best?
Foreclosure.com has the largest database of foreclosures (between 1.8 million and 2 million), but it does cost $39.90 per month. If you want a free foreclosure website, Zillow and Realtor.com are the best places to start. Check out our list of the best foreclosure websites.
Are foreclosure homes cheaper?
Foreclosure homes are cheaper than traditional homes, but they can come with major, expensive issues. Repairs might cost you more than you would have paid for a traditional home. Check out our list of the best foreclosure websites.
Is foreclsoure.com a legitimate website?
Yes, Foreclosure.com is a legitimate website with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Check out our list of the best foreclosure websites.