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MARQUETTE -- Home foreclosures are an increasing reality of our economy. The foreclosure rate increased by 1.8 percent in 2011 in Marquette county.

For some it's an opportunity to purchase a good home at a cheaper price.

Facebooker Jessica Mariin writes:  "We bought ours that way, put in an offer in the first day it was listed and ended up in a bidding war. Not much work inside, it was an awesome deal."

Every Thursday, the Marquette Sheriff's Department holds an auction in the courthouse, selling homes banks have foreclosed on. Sergeant Dave Kent says for those persons that lose their home, they still have a chance to get it back even if it's been auctioned.

"There's a six-month redemption period in which the individual who is living in the property originally can go ahead and buy the property back for the sale price plus interest. Now if no one is living in the property, if it's posted as being abandoned by myself, then what will happen is you get a 30-day redemption period," Kent said.

Owning a home, perhaps with a white picket fence, is the classic American dream that many of us have, but it can easily slip away. Especially with our economy if you don't pay your taxes.

You can also purchase foreclosed homes that the county takes away from people who don't pay their property taxes. On April 1, the county gets a list of homes that are being foreclosed.

Ann Giroux, the Marquette County Treasurer, decides what property will be auctioned in August.

"They're sold to the highest bidder, but they all start at a minimum bid, which is the delinquent taxes, so we are obviously trying to recover the taxes that are owing 'cause the delinquent tax fund needs to be made whole. So that's kind of the first objective. Sometimes we make money on the property, sometimes we lose," said Giroux.

Officials say do your homework before purchasing a home in an auction. You should go to the Register of Deeds to see if there are unpaid taxes, liens against the property, or second loans. Most importantly:  find out the condition of the home.