Long & Foster's Mount Airy office launched bus tours three months ago for visits to foreclosed-on homes.

Sharon Crisafulli, who manages three Long & Foster offices, said the tour has been so far a hit. Mount Airy is in a four-county area, and the company puts on one tour a month. So far Frederick , Carroll and Montgomery have been visited. Howard County is next.

"People may say what a horrible thing we are doing, preying on these people (facing foreclosure)," Crisafulli said. "But the sellers are glad to see us working, trying to sell the home for them. It is in their best interest to get it sold."

Participants get information beforehand about the properties and then get to visit each one. The company charters a 28-seat bus and visits about 10 homes from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tourists get a gift bag with water and fruit.

"On the bus we have an attorney, a home inspector and a mortgage person," Crisafulli said.

The tours have drawn a mix of eight to 13 potential homebuyers and investors each time, she said.

Crisafulli said similar bus tours have been launched by real estate firms in California and other parts of the country. The Mount Airy office is the only Long & Foster office doing tours locally. The next closest one is in Virginia.

"We have a team of specially trained Realtors who know about foreclosed and pre-foreclosed homes. They were trained by attorneys and it really makes a difference," she said.

A buyer of a foreclosed home must be willing to accept delayed responses to offers, take the homes "as is," and expect a lot more paperwork than when buying a home in the traditional way.

"Our team is trained to negotiate with banks and will tell the buyer or investor just what to expect," she said.

The tour doesn't include just Long & Foster listings, Crisafulli said: "We work with other offices and show their properties as well. We show what we think are the best deals for a buyer or investor."

The homeowners are looking for short sales -- lower prices, but faster sales -- and other ways to pay off the debt.

Crisafulli prefers people to register for the tour at 301-831-7500, ext. 105, but said she does get some last minute walk-ins.

"You know you are doing something right when everyone applauds at the end of the bus trip," Crisafulli said.

SUBPRIME LENDING & FORECLOSURES Homeowners around the nation are struggling to make mortgage payments, and Frederick County is no exception. The map below show the area with the lowest and highest concentration of subprime mortgage loans. Click the map for a larger image. SEARCHABLE DATABASE Search the list of foreclosures filed in Frederick County Circuit Court from Jan. 1 to March 18, 2008. BIZ BLOG Business editor Cliff Cumber blogs about the project. Click here to check out his blog. THE ECONOMY & ME This new online-only section houses all sorts of stories that come our way on the economy, as well as tips consumers can use to stretch their dollar a little bit further. Click the graphic to go to the section. RELATED STORIES Foreclosure: A far-reaching problem Published on May 04, 2008 Ellen Scrivens reminisces about the house that she lost due to foreclosure last August that is located off Burning Bush Drive.more » Getting hit from all sides Published on May 04, 2008 In 2006, 455 foreclosures were filed in Frederick County Circuit Court. In 2007, that number more than doubled to 1,025. more » Officials seek to help foreclosure victims Published on May 04, 2008 People facing foreclosure, or who know someone who is, will have the opportunity Monday night to hear from someone who can help. more » Comptroller: state efforts to stem Published on May 04, 2008 The effect of the foreclosure crisis will hit hardest at local budgets, according to the state's chief tax official. more » Borrowers' euphoria clouded subprime risks Published on May 04, 2008 People were so happy to be in a home that the risks of the subprime loans they signed up for went right over their heads. more » Budgeting measures may protect county from foreclosure trouble Published on May 04, 2008 With conservative budgeting, Frederick County is prepared financially for effect from the local economy caused by the foreclosure crisis. more » Signs of trouble Auctioneers saw dangers of subprime loans coming Published on May 04, 2008 Auctioneers saw it coming. They knew the subprime loan frenzy would cause many homeowners to mortgage their futures. more » Commercial real estate market ‘cautious’ Deputies notice rise in evictions and foreclosures Published on May 05, 2008 Deputies notice rise in evictions and foreclosures Frederick County Sheriff's Deputy First Class Kevin Eyler posts a final eviction notice on a residence door shortly before the door is opened and the contents are carried to the street. more » Commercial real estate market ‘cautious’ Minimal subprime impact expected Published on May 05, 2008 Frederick County's commercial real estate market remains strong, but cautious, and experts predict that the foreclosure crisis rocking residential real estate will have a limited impact. more » Foreclosure: Taking a wider look Published on May 05, 2008 The foreclosure problem is having an impact on the Frederick community -- to what extent, and what may lie ahead for Frederick County, is still up in the air. more » Bargain bus offers tours of foreclosed homes Published on May 05, 2008 Anyone interested in buying a home facing foreclosure can save time and gas by boarding the Bargain Bus. more » Tips on buying a new or foreclosed home Published on May 05, 2008 Tips for buying a new home: be approved by a reliable lender; make sure you get enough of a price cut to cover unnoticed damage or deferred maintenance and repairs; look for the homes on the market the longest (90 to 120 days) for the best deals; pay for your own inspection and, real estate agents advise, be patient. more » How and where to get help Published on May 05, 2008 HUD foreclosure prevention. more »