1
Lis pendens
Judicial states often expose the case when the lender files suit.
How to Find Pre-Foreclosure Leads Free
A pre-foreclosure owner has missed payments and received a notice of default or lis pendens but has not yet lost the home at auction. Build this list free from public records: county lis pendens and notice-of-default filings, scheduled sheriff-sale notices, and PACER for bankruptcy-linked cases. Pull the list, confirm the owner, then underwrite before you offer.
Free public-record sources
2
Notice of default
Non-judicial states may record a trustee or notice-of-default filing.
3
Sale notices
Sheriff-sale and trustee-sale calendars show properties moving toward auction.
4
Bankruptcy check
PACER can show cases that may pause or reshape the timeline.
5
Underwrite
Run Max Bid and Deal Analyzer before you mail, call, or make an offer.
What to verify before outreach
- Filing type, filing date, and current case status.
- Owner name, mailing address, and whether the property is occupied.
- Sale date, postponement, bankruptcy, and redemption-risk notes.
- ARV, repair budget, unpaid taxes, and your maximum offer.
Worked first-pass screen
If ARV is $260,000, repairs are $45,000, selling and holding costs are $28,000, and you need $35,000 of margin, your offer ceiling starts near $152,000 before any title, tax, or occupancy adjustment.
FAQ
What is a pre-foreclosure lead?
A pre-foreclosure lead is an owner tied to a recorded default, lis pendens, notice of default, or scheduled sale before the property is lost at auction.
Can I find pre-foreclosure leads without paid software?
Yes. Start with county court filings, recorder notices, sheriff-sale lists, and bankruptcy records, then verify the owner and property before outreach.
What should I do before contacting a pre-foreclosure owner?
Confirm the filing, check whether bankruptcy or a sale date changes timing, estimate the deal math, and avoid legal advice or pressure tactics.