How do I buy foreclosures directly from the government?

Do you have to be a real estate broker or agent (and have brokerage license) in order to buy directly from the government? What prices can I expect on foreclosures in our declining economy? I don't want to pay anything higher than expected in our current economy. Where can I obtain the foreclosure listings and other info for free? Please direct me to a proper website that explains all this. Thanks.

The banks are really the ones who own the properties and houses. I dont think they will just give you a list of their foreclosures tho. If you go down to your city hall, they should have a list for you. You don't have to be a realestate agent tho.

If you buy a house right from a bank, in some cases you can pay what ever was not paid from the mortgage from the previous owners. the banks just want the rest of their money.

Like the previous answer. The government doesn't actually have storehouses of foreclosed homes for sale. They just insured the notes on the foreclosed homes, so you're not really buying the home from the government. Unless you are referring to HUD homes. If you are, then you could contact your local HUD office and get some information. I've worked on HUD projects in the past and I think there are quite a few stipulations to purchasing one. If your trying to cash in on a foreclosed home, there are scores of services that will help you. Just type in "buy foreclosed homes" in any search engine and take your pick. Most charge a small fee for giving you access to the database, but if you are serious, just call a real estate agent and tell them what you are wanting to do. They know a lot more about this than the average joe, and will probably point you in the right direction. Look to Phoenix, Miami, and other under-valued areas that will issue tax incentives to businesses.