Pre Foreclosures: How to get a jump before everyone else?

[Andrew Mercurio]

I am trying to make my first purchase of a property to rent or flip. I am trying to locate Preforeclosed homes that havent been officially turned over to the bank. Does anyone have a good system to find homes like that in a specific community besides going to each individual town hall etc? is there a reliable site or tool that someone can recommend? 

Also, Am i looking at this the best way? i am also trying to locate properties before they go to auction. Is this possible? 

I own a Construction company and Ideally I am looking for properties that need work / updates / repairs that i can pick up cheap