In today's world, it is hard to imagine being an active real-estate investor without using the Internet as a prime search tool. The Web site www.realtor.com is a great source for properties in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Another source that offers a large real-estate listing service is www.yahoo.com.

You can also check out the For Sale By Owner sites, such as www.fsbo.com, www.homesbyowner.com, or www.forsalebyowner.com or the government foreclosures at www.hud.gov/homes/homesforsale.cfm.

Countless other Web sites offer listings and information about properties for you. Many real-estate agents maintain their own sites, which connect to local properties. Some well-spent time on the Internet searching for Web sites could pay substantial benefit to you. You will develop your own list of places to find both pre-foreclosure and foreclosure deals.