Dailybeam

I am always seeing foreclosures in the paper, but I have heard that it is best to try to purchase foreclosures before they have actually been foreclosed on. Is there anywhere you can find listings of California foreclosures before the process is complete? That way I might be able to get a really good deal from the current owners, and they will be able to avoid foreclosure, so their credit won’t be as messed up. At least this is the theory. Has anyone tried this? How can I find out about houses about to get foreclosed on? Can I get a really good deal this way?