UPDATE:  I have reached out to one of the four police departments around here and have already received one good lead. 

my guess is to call the department of finance. what if the lot really belongs to the city. is there anyway to buy from besides waiting for an auction? 

Hi everybody, Im a newbie and never had anything to do with real estale.I'm 23 and a software engineer and I've decided I need to do something with my income.I save around 80% after taxes so my savings are growing up quite impressive.I live in Israel so my first thought was to buy an apartment in Beer Sheva.I have read the untimate begginers guide... and yet I'm not confident not sure what to do first.The city is growing fast (I know a guy who knows a guy, who bougth a department for 75K and now it worth around 110K).

If you don't you risk prosecution by the municipal building department.  

Vacant properties in Cook County (Or it may be just in Chicago) have to be registered with the building department.  

And indeed, auction.com does do REOs and trustee sales in many states (including NC... we have bought via them at Wake county courthouse steps) so check with the equivalent of your state's Special Proceedings department (depending on if it's a trustee sale) or your broker who submitted the bid to give you direction (again, based on the state where the property is located).

HUD's website references "1 year" being the minimum for being owner occupant on a FHA Loan; sure its a different department; but its the most straightforward answer I've read.

Vinny,Not sure if you have access to a SBA (Small Business Association) there, but in US, we have such regional and national government departments that provide assistance to small businesses.

In Indiana where I am located, FEMA and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources are moving through the state and updating the flood maps.

I agree with Wayne, the bank's short sale department will control the sale the whole way.