Searching for Foreclosures and Pre-Foreclosures

Why this matters

Foreclosure and pre-foreclosure properties represent high-opportunity segments in the real estate market. Pre-foreclosures allow you to identify motivated owners before the property goes to auction, while foreclosure listings (including auction and bank-owned properties) provide insight into distressed sales and potential acquisition opportunities.

This guide shows you how to search for both pre-foreclosure filings and foreclosure auctions in one place using PropertyShark’s tools.

What you’ll do

• Understand the difference between foreclosure and pre-foreclosure stages
• Use the dedicated search tools to find each type
• Apply filters to target specific geographies, owner types, and stages
• View results, export lists, and set alerts

Section 1: Understanding Status Types

Section 2: How to Search for Pre-Foreclosures

Steps:

• Go to the top navigation and click Pre-Foreclosures.
• Use the search panel on the left to define your criteria:
  • Location: county, city, ZIP code, neighborhood
  • Stage: Notice of Default, Lis Pendens, Auction Scheduled (if applicable)
  • Property Characteristics: property type, square footage, number of units
  • Owner Status: absentee owner, owner-occupied
• Click Search to view matching properties.
• Click any result to open the full Property Report and review:
  • Filing details and dates
  • Ownership information
  • Mortgage amount and lender
  • Document images (where available)
• Use the Export button to download your list or click Save Search to receive updates.

Pro Tips

• Start with Notice of Default or Lis Pendens to reach owners before auction is scheduled.
• Use tags to mark leads you’ve already contacted.
• Save searches to automatically receive new filings in your target area.

Section 3: How to Search for Foreclosures 

Steps

• Click Foreclosures in the top navigation.
• In the left-side search filters, choose:
  • Auction Status: Postponement or First date
  • Location: county, borough, ZIP code, city
  • Date Filters: auction date, filing date
  • Property Details: building class, unit count, lot size
• Click Search to view the list of active foreclosure auctions or REO properties.
• Click any property to see auction details, opening bid, plaintiff, and case number.
• Use Export to download auction data or Save Search to track new auctions weekly.

Pro Tips

• Filter by auction date to identify urgent opportunities.
• Use ownership and mortgage tabs within the Property Report to assess equity.
• If pursuing REO properties, check for contact details of the bank or asset manager.