How to buy a property that is vacant, but not on the market?

[Dolores Gonzalez]

Hello Bigger Pockets Community,

I am a newer investor looking for a discounted property to rehab and rent out. I will often drive passed a home that will be boarded or otherwise show signs of vacancy, but they are not listed online or MLS. I know from checking county records that these properties are in some process of foreclosure. Is there someone that I should try to contact (the bank, property owner) in order to be one of the first to know when the property could be available for purchase? Where do I start? Or do I just continue to check listings and wait for the property to show up?