The best way to get specific info on foreclosures is through the court system if it’s a judicial foreclosure and newspapers for non judicial statesYou can pay sites for foreclosure data as well but reality is most foreclosures today do not end up foreclosing as borrowers will file bankruptcy

Like Don Lapre in the 90's with his broke, down to his last $100 until he found out he could place small ads in newspapers and make millions.

The obvious signs are overgrown landscaping, stacks of newspapers in driveways, and junk in the yard.

Non-traditional credit that I have used before is gas bill, electrical bill, gym membership, phone bill, magazine/newspaper, really anything with a monthly payment that can show paid on time. 

@Quin GreenIf you are going to be chasing mortgage sales, then it behooves you to follow the Ontario Gazette (Royal Gazette) and the classifieds section of the local newspaper for properties headed to mortgage sale.When an interesting property comes up, attend the auction - if for no other reason than learn the upset price and learn if it sells.  

@Robin SearleYes, at least that's how he presented it to the newspaper.

Noticed it was abandoned, researched courthouse records, determined it was adjudicated to the Parish for non-payment of taxes, submitted purchase request to the Police Jury for amount of back taxes, made required notifications by mail and newspaper, waiting mandatory days for owner to redeem, and when redemption period expired, closing occurred at Police Jury Office.

There was a posting in the newspaper.

There might be incomplete personal jurisdiction issues if the newspaper notices were not run properly, and similar matters.

I'm aware of the newspaper ads, but was wondering where one might go find a list to sift through if there is such a place.