Bank foreclosed houses are everywhere. With hundreds of homeowners defaulting on their mortgage, more and more bank foreclosures are placed on the market for sale. And almost all of them are priced below their current market value.

If you are on the market for bank foreclosures to live in or to repair and re-sell, then there are many ways to find these cheap properties. Take time to explore each option before you decide on the best way to buy bank foreclosed houses.

Short Sale:

This option to buy bank foreclosures depends heavily on the lenders, whether they will accept short sale or discounted payoffs. Short selling means that lenders have agreed for homeowners to sell their distressed properties and to accept the total sale cost as payment for the unpaid loan balance. Homeowners may opt for short sale in an effort to avoid foreclosures and to save their credit score.

If you plan on buying a bank foreclosure through short sale, make sure to talk to the lender or the person responsible for the short sale. Come prepared with your finances in order. This is a way to give you leverage during the negotiation.

Pre-foreclosure:

During the pre-foreclosure stage, the distressed homeowner is on the brink of foreclosure and has decided to sell his property to pay off his debt and avoid foreclosure. Make sure that you do some background check on the property first to know if there are hidden liens attached on it. Sometimes, in their desperation to sell the properties immediately to avoid foreclosures, the homeowners will not divulge any information that may turn off potential buyers. It is advisable also to hire a home inspector to give a professional assessment on the structural condition of the property.

Auctions:

Another way to find a cheap foreclosed house is through auctions. Here, the property goes to the highest bidder. Before you attend an auction, make sure that you have set your budget so as not to overbid on a property.

These are some common ways to find cheap bank foreclosures to buy. Your budget and requirements will dictate what method you will choose to buy bank foreclosed houses.