re: Buying a house

This doesn't answer your question, but it is a good resource for finding foreclosures and there is a 10 day period after the house is listed that keeps investors at bay so that first time home buyers have a chance. There aren't nearly as many listings as there were when I found my house in '08 on here, but you may get lucky. Definitely check it every day.

https://homepath.fanniemae.com/property-finder