Each spring brings the beginning of the real estate sales season and the end of college basketball, culminating with March Mania and the much awaited NCAA Sweet 16 playoff. This weekend, as the best college basketball players square off, RealtyTrac will tip off its Sweet 16 foreclosure list.

EAST REGION SEMIFINAL
The dollar goes a long way in Pittsburgh. Got an extra $1,650? That will buy you a two-story home with three bedrooms and one bath. Now that’s a sweet deal!

1) Pennsylvania — 2001 Middle St., Pittsburgh, PA — Opening Bid: $1,650
2) North Carolina — 2813 Bedfordshire Ct, Raleigh, NC — Opening Bid: $3,582
3) Massachusetts — 95-97 Dartmouth, Medford, MA — Opening Bid: $5,000
4) New Jersey — 115 Columbus Ave., Trenton, NJ — Opening Bid: $83,700

MIDWEST REGION SEMIFINAL
With bank-owned houses cheaper than a used car in Detroit, Michigan and Columbus, Ohio, why not buy the whole block?

1) Ohio — 705 E Columbus St., Columbus, OH — Opening Bid: $18,000
2) Detroit — 11840 Longview St., Detroit, MI — Opening Bid: $55,333
3) Indiana — 719 Hiatt St., Indianapolis, IN — Opening Bid: $32,400
4) Illinois — 1475 W 71st Pl., Chicago, IL — Opening Bid: $85,000

WEST REGION SEMIFINAL
Savvy buyers west of the Rockies don’t have to read any John Wooden books to spot these easy free throw investment opportunities.

1) Arizona — 1613 W Chipman Rd., Phoenix, AZ — Opening Bid: $28,155
2) Nevada — 1685 Alamo St., Reno, NV — Opening Bid: $49,073
3) Colorado — 2506 W 8th St., Greeley, CO — Opening Bid: $124,199
4) New Mexico — 1822 Tierra de la Luna Dr. SW, Albuquerque, NM — Opening Bid: $83,892

SOUTH REGION SEMIFINAL
With many homeowners singing the post-Katrina blues in Louisiana and Mississippi, buying a foreclosure property is a slam dunk for seasoned real estate investors.

1) Louisiana — 916 Palfrey St., Gretna, LA — Opening Bid: $25,000
2) Florida — 2224 Widener Ter, West Palm Beach, FL — Opening Bid: $10,000
3) Georgia — 3478 Thompson Dr NW, Atlanta, GA — Opening Bid: $76,500
4) North Carolina — 5032 Buckingham Dr., Charlotte, NC — Opening Bid: $10,700

Scoring points in the foreclosure market is easier than reaching the NCAA’s Final Four. For the best foreclosure opportunities during the subprime meltdown, join RealtyTrac for the most comprehensive foreclosure data nationwide.

Don’t miss next weeks tip off, when RealtyTrac announces America’s “Elite Eight” — a fast break list of the most expensive foreclosures in the nation.