The Best Foreclosure Websites

By The Real Estate Witch Team Updated April 12, 2024

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Foreclosure websites help you find government-owned and bank-owned homes that sell below market value, making homeownership far more affordable. We've researched some of the best foreclosure websites based on types of foreclosures listed, reputation, and search tools.

These sites are a good way to begin your search, but we recommend working with an experienced real estate agent for the best results. Agents can help you find great deals and may also know about new foreclosures that haven't been listed yet.

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What are the best foreclosure websites?

Free website: Zillow Foreclosures

Subscription website: Foreclosure.com

Auction website: Auction.com

Government property website: HUD Homestore

Bank-owned REO website: Wells Fargo

Best free website for foreclosures

🏆 Zillow Foreclosures

Use Zillow to kickstart your search for a foreclosure. Its database isn’t exhaustive, though, so pair your search with other foreclosure websites. The site displays short sales, pre-foreclosures, auctions, and REO homes — though it doesn’t distinguish clearly between the types.

✅ Pros	❌ Cons
Powerful search capabilities make it easy to find foreclosures in your area	Occasional pre-foreclosure listings aren’t really for sale
Zestimate can give you a rough idea of the home’s market value	Limited inventory isn’t comprehensive and often fails to include foreclosures not listed on the MLS

» LEARN: Is Zillow’s Home Value Estimator Accurate? The Truth Revealed

Runner-up: Realtor.com Foreclosures

Realtor.com lists auctions and bank-owned properties. Like Zillow, you should use Realtor.com as a starting point.

✅ Pros	❌ Cons
Flexible search shows homes in nearby areas if there's nothing local	You won’t find any off-market properties, short sales, or pre-foreclosures
Property data is extensive and highly accurate

Honorable mention: Trulia

This site is a good source for finding short sales, auctions, pre-foreclosures, and bank-owned properties. Zillow also owns Trulia, so you can use Trulia alongside Zillow for the most complete info on a foreclosure. Trulia can tell you the type of foreclosure; Zillow can give you a "Zestimate" of its market value.

✅ Pros	❌ Cons
Distinguishes the type of foreclosure (auction, bank-owned, pre-foreclosure)	Same foreclosures as Zillow but without the "Zestimate" feature
Provides more information on the neighborhood surrounding the foreclosure

Best subscription site

🏆 Foreclosure.com

For a monthly fee of $39.80, you get access to short sales, auctions, bank-owned properties, properties in bankruptcy, fixer-uppers, and pre-foreclosures.

One-time buyers may take advantage of the 7-day free trial. More dedicated investors can subscribe for a comprehensive look at the inventory in their area.

✅ Pros	❌ Cons
Over 1.8 million listings	No free version (but free 7-day trial)
Sneak peeks for pre-foreclosures
Property data for investors

Runner-up: RealtyTrac

For $49.60 monthly or $99.00 every three months, you get access to short sales, auctions, bank-owned properties, properties in bankruptcy, fixer-uppers, and pre-foreclosures. If you're not certain you want to pay for the subscription, you can pay a trial fee of $1.00 for the first 30 days to scope out what’s in your area.

✅ Pros	❌ Cons
User-friendly site on both desktop and mobile	Overwhelming property data
Map view for comparing numerous homes	No subscription tier for average home buyer
Notifications about auction dates and new listings

Best auction website

🏆 Auction.com

Offering auctions exclusively, this site helps you find the locations of upcoming auctions. You can also avoid the hassles of in-person auctions by bidding online for foreclosures.

✅ Pros	❌ Cons
Easy-to-find auction locations and times	Hidden, minimum sale price (called "reserve price")
Online bidding option

Best website for government property

🏆 HUD Homestore

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) sells homes that have defaulted on mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration. These homes sell fast and the inventory can change daily. We recommend checking the site frequently for homes in your area.

✅ Pros	❌ Cons
Good-sized, regularly updated inventory	Sometimes in poor condition
30-day priority access for buyers (not investors)	Possible squatters in vacant properties
Up to 3% closing cost assistance from HUD

Runner-up: Tied between HomePath and HomeSteps

HomePath properties are homes that Fannie Mae financed and that are now in foreclosure. Similarly, HomeStep sells foreclosures that were previously financed by Freddie Mac.

These programs prioritize home buyers and community organizations over investors. Since the inventory can be low, check both sites daily.

✅ Pros	❌ Cons
Homes are well-maintained	Your offer can’t have contingencies*
Home buyers get priority access to new listings	Investors have to wait 30 days before bidding
First-time home buyers can get up to 3% in closing cost assistance*

* For HomePath homes

Honorable mention: IRS Seizures

This is a great site to find an investment property, second home, or possibly a residential or commercial rental. If you’re very flexible about where you can live, you might be able to find a primary residence.

✅ Pros	❌ Cons
Often way cheaper than other foreclosure sites	Bare bones site, with minimum search capabilities
Regularly updated auction listings, incl. minimum bids and property details	Limited amount of pictures

Best site for bank-owned REOs

🏆 Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo lists real estate–owned properties (REO) held by the bank after the original homeowner defaulted. Use the Wells Fargo REO storehouse along with other bank websites, such as those listed below, to maximize your search.

✅ Pros	❌ Cons
Fairly large database of homes	Often priced higher than other foreclosures
Guaranteed clean titles	7-day "view only" period for new listings
Free appraisal for Wells Fargo mortgage

Honorable mentions:

FAQs

Is foreclosure.com legit?

Foreclosure.com is a legitimate website that's been running since 1999. It has a verified Trustpilot profile with an aggregate rating of 3.6 stars. Find more of the best foreclosure websites.

Are foreclosed homes more affordable?

Yes, foreclosure homes are usually priced below the market value. While these homes are cheaper, they also come with risks. They are sometimes distressed properties with undisclosed issues, and you may need to make major unexpected repairs.

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