how to view a property in cook county before foreclosure auction (real estate, homes)

[trickygal]

Completely naive question:

I am interested in a foreclosure property but I want to view it before purchasing it at auction. Does anyone know if there are dates available to do so? Or is it just sight unseen....buyer beware...hope is has the pipes etc.

I have called sheriff dart's office and they referred me to the daley center but I hit a dead end there. Any input?

Thanks in advance

[TempesT68]

County auctions are as is, where is, no viewings. You could probably look in the windows and the outside, but that is as close as you are going to get.

[chet everett]

I have had some luck in the past using the semi-cold calling real estate agent / investor approach. Basically you have to make it sound like you are just a regular old real estate agent that would like to help determine the marketability of the property.

"Hello, I am Joe The Real Estate Guy, I have helped some of your neighbors successfully sel their homes and would like to help you determine the fair market value of your house. If we could meet at your home I can look around and give you details on what other homes like yours have sold for."

Of course this assumes A LOT, like the "home owner" really is still in the property, they answer the phone, they have not "gone 'round the bend", the property is in an area where there have been successful listings /sales, you are not overly misrepresenting your intentions, etc...

There are more creative ways to go about this too, but I don't want to give all my secrets.