At the other end of the spectrum is Vermont. With just 5 repossessions for all of March, Vermont accounted for 0.008% of repossessions nationwide. Distressed homes remain in high demand among today's home buyers, accounting for almost 40% of all home resales. It's no wonder, either. Distresses home typically sell at a steep, 15 percent discount as compared to non-distressed properties. Buying foreclosures can be a great "deal". However, make sure you've done your homework. Buying homes from banks is different from buying a homes from "people". Contracts and negotiations are different, and homes are often sold with defects. If you plan to buy a Washington, DC foreclosure, therefore, make you you speak with a licensed real estate professional before submitting a bid. You can research a home online and learn a lot of the process, but when it's time to purchase, put an experienced agent on your side.