The time is now to get in on year end deals from banks and mortgage companies who are carrying foreclosure properties (REO real estate owned). Foreclosures - REO's are an on going problem for the mortgage industry at a 52 year high, banks and mortgage companies are overloaded with homes.

To get your best deals in foreclosure properties follow these tips:

Work with a Real Estate Agent - agents are ready and willing to work with investors, remember that agents expect to do business now don't drag them all over town wasting their time and your time. Be ready to buy. Some commissions are as low as 1.5% that's $375.00 to an agent on a $50,000 property which is normally $750.00 not much income after all the hoops the mortgage companies will make them jump through.

Top Agents - In today's real estate world the top agents can put you into a VIP or email program where you will receive daily emails' with complete property descriptions and photos. You go check out the properties you are interest in and call the agent when you want to go inside. This comes with a price the agent will expect you to sign a Buyer Agent agreement for this service. Agents will bend over backwards for you if you treat them fairly and don't expect them to work for nothing.

MLS and REO Services - Access to property information is pretty easy today if you know where to look. You can get access to the public side of the MLS and find most properties for sale you will not be able to do the fine tuned search that your agent can. Banks and mortgage companies all have web sites you can access to hunt for properties; again your agent can get more detailed information and be on an email list as a registered licensed agent. You can do all the work yourself with out an agent, but you will need an agent to make an offer.

HUD - VA - Government Owned - The only access you will have to these properties is through an agent who is registered with the agency. Some properties have special keyed locks and only registered agents have the keys. The process is more detailed and closing by year end is not as important, this is the government they don't have share holders to answer to.

Be Ready To Buy - Have your financing in place line up your hard money lenders, self-directed IRA's, private lenders, partners, credit cards, and cash, 2nd mortgage your home. What ever you plan on using to buy an investment property be ready and able to close before year end to get the best discounts.