: New York law requires lenders to send a notice to homeowners at least 90 days before filing a lawsuit. These are often recorded in public databases.
: Search the county recorder's office for a Lis Pendens (notice of pending legal action), which signifies the lender has officially started the foreclosure process.
Since these homes are not yet listed on the open market, you must "hunt" for them using public records:
: Real estate wholesalers and local attorneys often have access to lists of distressed properties before they become public.