Recorder of Deeds

[David Robertson]

I have been searching public records to find out what banks own prospective investment properties.

At the county recorders website you can search the deed of recorders documents and it will list the transactions and the parties to the transactions.

When I see a bank listed as a grantee does this mean the property was reposed and granted back to the bank from the grantor/homeowner? If this is the case, it appears the deed of recorders website could be valuable to find out what properties are being foreclosed on. The information can be sorted by date so you can find out what properties were foreclosed on most recently.

Has anyone used this source to contact the bank about a potential property before it goes on market? Will banks be willing to accept an offer without listing it? It appears this would be beneficial to a bank if they could get rid of the property as quickly as possible without the costs of holding/maintaining, and listing the property.