One of the quickest ways to real estate profits is through preforeclosures. What is a preforeclosure, exactly? A preforeclosure takes place from the time the bank gives notice of default to the time the house sells at auction. Typically, this is around the time of 90 days into default, depending on state law.

The key to preforeclosure investing is equity - the difference between what a house will sell for and what is owed on the house. Preforeclosures allow you to buy a house for less than fair market value, creating immediate equity for yourself.

Preforeclosures are your opportunity to buy low and sell high, maximizing your profit quickly. How can you cash in on preforeclosures and exit with the maximum profit?

Here's how to do it.

Step 1. Find and Secure the Preforeclosure

You must submit a written contract directly to the owners in order to buy a preforeclosure, since the property still belongs to them during this stage. Ads in newspapers and subscriptions to preforeclosure listings will help you locate the properties. (See more about this in article 1.) Once you've located a property, you'll need to do the following to screen them and prequalify your homeowners: