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Buying a Government-Owned Home

How HUD homes, USDA homes and federal property auctions work, who can buy, and where to find official listings in your state. We do not sell homes; every listing links to the official seller.

See current government auctionsTreasury and IRS seized homes, USDA homes, GSA surplus property, plus sheriff and tax sale info for every countyOpen

Who sells government-owned homes

Official sellers and programs

  • HUD homes

    U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

    When a home with an FHA-insured mortgage goes through foreclosure, HUD takes ownership and sells it. Listings, bid results and broker searches are on the HUD Home Store. Owner-occupant buyers get an early bidding window before investors can bid, and bids must be submitted through a HUD-registered real estate broker.

    HUD Home Store

  • Good Neighbor Next Door

    HUD

    Law enforcement officers, pre-K through 12th grade teachers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians can buy eligible HUD homes in revitalization areas at 50% off the list price. The buyer must live in the home as their only residence for 36 months.

    Good Neighbor Next Door (HUD)

  • USDA Rural Development homes

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    USDA sells homes it acquired through its rural housing loan programs. Most are in small towns and rural areas, and some can be bought with USDA financing.

    USDA real estate for sale

  • Federal real property auctions

    U.S. General Services Administration

    GSA sells surplus federal land and buildings, from former post offices and offices to houses and vacant lots, mostly through online auctions.

    RealEstateSales.gov (GSA)

  • Treasury forfeiture auctions

    U.S. Department of the Treasury

    Real estate forfeited to Treasury law enforcement agencies is sold at public auction through Treasury's contractors.

    Treasury real property auctions

How to buy a HUD home

  1. 1Get prequalified for a mortgage, or confirm you have cash. Some HUD homes are eligible for FHA financing and some are sold as-is without FHA eligibility.
  2. 2Find a HUD-registered real estate broker. Only registered brokers can submit bids, and the HUD Home Store has a broker search.
  3. 3Search listings on the HUD Home Store by state, city or ZIP code and review each property's condition report and bid deadline.
  4. 4Have your broker submit an online bid. Owner-occupant buyers bid first during an exclusive period; investors can bid afterward if the home is still available.
  5. 5If your bid is accepted, sign the sales contract, put down the earnest money and close within the time HUD sets.

Find government homes in your state

HUD Home Store search by state, and the HUD Homeownership Center that serves it

StateHUD homesHomeownership CenterLocal data
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U.S. Virgin IslandsSearch VI listingsAtlantaHome values
GuamSearch GU listingsSanta AnaHome values
Northern Mariana IslandsSearch MP listingsSanta AnaHome values
American SamoaSearch AS listingsSanta AnaHome values

Avoid scams

  • Government agencies do not charge fees to see lists of foreclosed or seized homes. Official listings are free on the sites above.
  • No one can guarantee you a HUD home or a below-market price in exchange for a payment.
  • HUD bids go through registered brokers on the HUD Home Store, not through private websites or wire transfers to individuals.
  • Report suspected fraud to the HUD Office of Inspector General or the Federal Trade Commission.

Frequently asked questions

What is a HUD home?
A HUD home is a one- to four-unit residential property that HUD acquired after foreclosure on an FHA-insured mortgage. HUD sells these homes at market value through the HUD Home Store.
Who can buy a HUD home?
Anyone who can pay cash or qualify for a mortgage can buy a HUD home, including investors. Buyers who will live in the home get an exclusive early bidding period.
Do I need a real estate agent to buy a HUD home?
Yes. Bids must be submitted by a real estate broker registered with HUD. You can find one with the broker search on the HUD Home Store.
What is the Good Neighbor Next Door program?
It lets eligible law enforcement officers, teachers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians buy certain HUD homes in revitalization areas for 50% off the list price if they live in the home for 36 months.
Does this site list HUD homes for sale?
No. There is no open public data feed of HUD Home Store listings, so we link to the official listing sites instead of copying listings that could be out of date. Treasury, IRS, USDA and GSA listings that are published openly are on our Government Auctions page.