oh man.
okay, first, the county clerk knows nothing. they’re a good source for getting other numbers, like tax assessors office, zoning, permits, building development etc - oh and they can check for tax liens, yes, if you have a persons name - not address.
foreclosures are conducted by banks and attorneys on the steps usually of a town hall. the bank says some stuff. the attorney says some legal stuff and then the bidding begins.
now, you get this info in a number of ways - join your local reiclub. check out some sites with links to banks showing their foreclosure list - biggerpockets.com is one
yes, in the legal notices section of newspaper - you’ll see notices for foreclosure auctions - take down the lot, block, sect and address - attorney’s name, location of the auction, defendants name, the bank, and listed minimum bid (subject to change of course).
go there 15 minutes early, wait around, see who shows up. you’ll be entirely clueless and after it’s over - even more clueless 
goto another one and another one. join your local reiclub. goto the library and read about foreclosures -
basics: The Alpha and Omega - U MUST HAVE FINANCING LINED UP
- due-diligence - check out prospect [lot of work here]
- set your maximum bid
- day before, get a bank check for #2 (your pre-determined maximum bid) or bring cash in the amount of {usually 5 to 10% of #2} - so if you set max bid at 85,000 - you bring bank check (made out to yourself/business - so that you can redeposit it in your account if you get out bid) for whatever the minimum requirement is for down payment/earnest payment if you bid successfully. you can find this out at your first auction.
so i.e. - if requirement is 10% of max bid - you need 8500 bucks.
- you go to auction - get there early.
- you listen and WAIT.
- see how the bidding goes - DO NOT GET INVOLVED EARLY.
- after the attorney says - 79,000 going once…going twice…go-
- you say with a shaky voice - 80,000 - and say it LOUD.
- you struggle with the last of the real dogs - and maybe, you get it!
- you sit down with the attorney - sign some papers, sign over your check…and
11 - in 30 days or so, you close for the remainding balance.
IF YOU DON’T HAVE FINANCING IN 30 DAYS OR IT FALLS THROUGH - YOU CAN FILE AN EXTENSION - HOPEFULLY - TO TRY AND GET FINANCING - IF YOU DON’T…YOU’RE OUT 8500.
there are so many factors to consider, it’s mindboggling - c/o’s, repairs, permits, licensing issues, TITLE, appraisals, financing, financing, financing, local bldg codes, inspections…
that’s before, during and after you close - DUE DILIGENCE IS PARAMOUNT. you need to make a nice package for your lender - or your financial backer - you need to know the lingo and walk the walk, cuz the rest is just little kiddie sh*t.
HAVE FUN!!!
