hud homes on/off market

[Mark Tomes]

Hello All! I am almost financially ready (within weeks) to start making offers on my first "fix and flip(s)" and have noticed something interesting over the last month of watching. I have had an eager eye on three properties in the metro Detroit/Flint areas (Clarkston, White Lake and Commerce twp) and noticed they all went "off market", and there doesn't seem to be activity at any of the properties. Is this a tactic to keep the inventory artificially low? Does anyone in the area know if there is a pattern? One of the places was for sale in 2010, went off market and returned in 15, is that common? Is there any way to make offers directly to the banks (or HUD) who own the properties?