Carolyn, you really need to be working with an agent to find out when properties come on the market. Many bank-owned (REO) properties receive offers the first day they are on the market. In fact, a lot of properties are going that way - on a short sale I had, I had 27 offers; on a normal sale home, I had 7 offers, 2 even before it was on the market because there was a sign on the property (we were doing the termite/dry rot work). There are a lot of buyers looking to buy homes for themselves - not just investors, and not a lot of homes to go around right now. If you are serious about buying a home, find an agent who can help you find the property quickly, and who can help you write the winning offer. - Tue Nov 17 2009, 16:28