I’m know you’re in tune to the worries of recession and the real estate crisis going on in the US. This has caused a flooding of foreclosures that is surpassing previous highs. Although you still see older foreclosed homes in run down areas, what’s different during this crisis is the quality of foreclosed homes and neighborhoods they reside, has improved drastically. Even nice estates in wealthy neighborhoods can be found at government auctions for prices much lower than market value.

If you are considering buying a foreclosed home from a government auction then you you picked a good time to do so. Here is a list of the advantages and disadvantages of buying a foreclosure versus buying a house using a realtor.

Some of the pros of purchasing a foreclosed/pre-foreclosed home are:

- The great prices available on foreclosed/pre-foreclosed homes is obviously the number one advantage.

- More often then not the properties are in very good condition relative to price.

- The selection range of home available to choose from is extensive.

- No middle man (Realtor) to have to go through or additional fees to pay (although you should consult with someone along who can inspect the home(s) for you).

- Some insurances are optional. It could save you hundreds a month.

- Good property investment for renting or reselling.

- Not as risky as stock investing, plus you will own something of physical worth.

Disadvantages:

- A mortgage could be hard to obtain, unless you have borrowing leverage

- Need to be mindful of existing liens or taxes that have not been paid on the property.

The most important thing is to make sure that the home you’re interested in is clear of all liens. You should also find out in advance what payment options the government auction will allow, and if required have your bank loan in place ahead of time. Make sure you have some cash saved up just in case, just as you would when purchasing a house through a realtor.

Government auctions are held every week throughout North America. You can locate detailed information regarding auctions on the web. Some sites will even show you previews of the houses that will be available at the upcoming auctions. Buying an estate through a government auction is very fulfilling, but as I already mentioned do your homework. You may want to watch the bidding during your first visit to a government auction so that you are comfortable with this process.