Some Suggestions for finding REO's
You could ask a realtor to give you a listing of homes for sale ($30k and under) in a particular city. The banks, when they foreclose, if they win at the sheriff sale, list the homes for sale through realtors from within their REO offices.
You could get a listing of future sheriff sales from the county and then in the auditors/clerks office look up each address to see where the tax bills are being sent.`Most of the time the bill goes to the banks since many people opt to pay a little at a time towards their taxs when they make their normal monthy paymnet. It will also give you the bank address and a code for the banks phone number that the clerk could look up in another book for you so you can call the bank and put in an offer. But, since you already have a listing of future sheriff sales, you could always drive by the properties to see if anyone still lives in them and then talk to them directly. If the home is vacant knock on neighbors doors and tell them you want to buy the home and fix it up for the neighborhood. They'll be more than willing to tell you how to get in touch with the people who use to live their or point you in a direction.
There is an online financial company I use quite a bit. They list all their REO's for every state. The company is Ocwen Financial Corp. Any one can search for residential and commercial for free. Simply go to http://ocwen.com/
First, if the property has not been to the foreclosure sale (sheriff sale), then is it not a bank REO yet? It is my understanding that the bank only takes possession when the bank is the highest bidder at the foreclosure sale. It would seem pointless to make an offer to the bank prior to the foreclosure sale, when the bank is not yet the owner of the property.
Last, why not start your search for bank owned foreclosure property (REO) on the internet? In my local area, four prominent institutional lenders each have an "Available Properties" link on their websites. Clicking on the links gives me a short description of the property, general location, asking price, and a point of contact for the person who will answer questions, show the property, and accept your purchase offer.
What are the Major institutions? and how do I find out how where all the REOs are in my area