Buying home from owner before auction date

[Noah Wood]

I’m interested in buying a home at a sheriff sale. It’s being foreclosed on because of back taxes to the city. I’m having a hard time finding financing for the sheriff sale as most lenders need an appraisal of the inside which can’t happen with sheriff sales at least where I am. I’m thinking about knocking on the owners door and offering to buy the property and take on all debt for the property. Maybe get a better deal than a bidding war at auction. I’ve talked to the treasurer and he was good with me paying them and avoiding auction.

My question is how would any of you guys go about this situation. My goal is to get as cheap as possible and avoid a bidding war because right now it’s a pretty good deal