Foreclosure listings are probably the most lucrative, 'gold-mine' real estate opportunities. With price cuts that go up to, and can exceed, 50% of the market price, these listings are the best place to start looking for a future home or a high-return property investment. Foreclosed properties have been on the rise all over the country since 2006, meaning that literally thousands of foreclosed properties are available for sale in any state of choice.

With economic downturns, over-development and a weakening dollar, many homeowners are finding it more and more difficult to pay off mortgages and keep up with fluctuating inflation percentages. This results in 'delinquent' payments and normally after the third or fourth missed mortgage payment the government or a bank repossesses the property in order to auction it off.

Auctions make these properties available for much cheaper than the market rate. This is largely because the banks and the government do not like their money tied up in real estate (much the way car auctions for repossessed cars work) and want to sell off the property as quickly as possible. If a buyer has a little bit of experience and common sense there are some great deals to be had on auctioned foreclosures.

Foreclosure listings nationwide, especially in the residential real estate market, offer some excellent properties in a way that gives back to the community as well and should be looked into for both home ownership and investment purposes.