Most MLS programs or web based tax programs have lis pendens information.

RealtyTrac's info is sometimes out of date and misleading. They mine foreclosure attorney and foreclosure trustee's websites and sometimes they do a better job with it than other times. Keep in mind that if you buy a foreclosed property at the sheriff or trustee sale, you may have to pay other liens. Some attach to the property post foreclosure and some don't. There's a lot of research a person has to do and the foreclosure co's staff generally do not want to walk people through the process as it isn't their job to do that and they don't really have the time. Everyone I know who did well with buying properties at foreclosure sale had done a fair bit of research, they checked the title to see if there were any recorded liens, property taxes owing, etc. If the house was ever up for sale by the owner then sometimes they can find out what condition it's in. Now, if you're talking about buying a house that was already foreclosed and went back to the bank and now they're selling it, well, there it goes through a regular closing and you don't have as much legwork to do. But you might not save much money as the bank will try to get as close to market price for it as they can.