Tips To Bidding At Auctions & How To Do Due Diligince On Foreclosure / Trustee auction properties for Harris County (Houston) & more

[Cynthia B.]

Hi Everyone,

I am looking to go out to the courthouse and buy an investment property. I have done quite a bit of reading online but I still have a long ways to go.

From what I understand here are the steps :

1) Most importantly is to complete a title search . 

2) Visit the property just before the auction , first thing in the morning .

3) Decide how much my maximum bid will be based on running the numbers .

4) BID !

I am very confused on the process of doing a title search for Harris county . Can this be done without going to the courthouse ?

I don't have anyone to drive around and look at possible properties . Is there a way of finding people who do this professionally ? Is it common for people to do this themselves ?

What is the best strategy when bidding ? Wait until the auctioneer starts counting down or being fast & assertive when the number of active bidders dwindles to 1 or 2 ? 

Is there a step that I have missed or something very important that I am unaware of ?

Thanks so much ,

Cynthia