From what i have been told you are a day late and a dollar short. This was the way a few years ago, but due to crooked appraisers and loan originators this is over. Appraisals are tough now, people can not get financing. You can pick them up cheap and put a renter in it until future. Good luck anyhow. Realtor will be your best bet. Buying at a sheriff sale will be sight unseen You could get burnt at the sheriffi sale.