look
here, see if you can't find something. i don't know what the deal is beyond the search, but i bet they charge you something down the line, otherwise they wouldn't be offering you to search for free. check it out.
i think you can walk into any bank and ask to see their foreclosure listings. i've never tried it, but i am fairly certain it can be done. the banks would much rather have someone else buy it than have to go through the auction process where they might end up with a lot less than their initial investment.
along those lines, i think the sherrif's office might be able to help, as well. although, once the sherriff's office is involved, it might be too late to get the property.
check your local tax office. some supply listings, others don't. tell your sob story (about how much you need to get out of your two bedroom apartment because your five kids are driving you crazy, you can't sleep at night and you are going to lose your job if you don't get some sleep, or whatever) to them, they're more apt to be sympathetic than the others mentioned above.