Shirley, they are correct. You may not get all the information you want from the paid sites, and the information may not be up to date. When the lis pendens is files, that's the banks way of letting the seller know they are going to take further action. But with that notification, the seller can bring his payments up to date at any time. But the pay site isn't going to reflect that. I've had people call me requesting to go to see properties that have lis pendens filed. But one needs to know that that is someones home, and more than likely they still live there, so you don't get to go view it like it's for sale on the market. I see you are in Shalimar, so I would be happy to send you a list of foreclosures and pre foreclosures or short sales in the Fort Walton Beach area if you like.

Hi Shirley -- It sounds like you're looking on one of the paid sites that list all kinds of legal actions taken against a property. Just because a lis pendens has been filed, doesn't mean that the property will go into foreclosure. If you would like to see homes that are in foreclosure, soon to be in foreclosure, or already bank owned, go to my website and click bank owned/foreclosure. These homes are listed and at least have begun the process of being available for sale. It's a long involved process much of the time to purchase a pre-foreclosure or foreclosure. If it's not already involved in the process, I'd advise you to look elsewhere. If I can be of any help, please call me.

Happy House Hunting.

A lis pendens is a public notice of pending legal action. This is probably an indication that the foreclosure process is underway.

What site are you trying to access? For many of them, you must pay to join, but for some, you just have to register to join.

We suggest you work with a Realtor to assist you. The owner/mortgage lender will be paying the commission for these professional services. If you look on those websites, you will notice that there is a listing agent hired by the mortgage lender to market the property. Your Realtor can let you know ASAP when a short sale or foreclosed property is listed and help you evaluate the value of the home before you make an offer. They will also assist you with inspections, closing details, which may involve outstanding liens against the property and so forth. Be sure that you buy title insurance. The bank may or may be paying for title insurance, but you need it regardless.