You should check with you county. They typically have an auction type setting for these things once a month-at least they do here in the DFW area.
Was going to buy a couple places last month, but we are going to wait it out for a few mths as people and banks get super anxious to unload their properties.
Our plan is pretty good ( my buddy works for Wells Fargo financial-only subprime mortgages).
-You buy the house from the individual before house is foreclosed; you then rent the house to the same individual-letting them "save face". There is obviously some risk involved, but you take the property back from them if they start to miss payments.