Interested in buying forclosed house from owner before auction

[Maureen Nixon]

This will be our first time buying a house from a auction. So first I am wondering if I can try to contact the owners before the date (which is in 1 week) and try to make a offer by phone. We are in a different state. I understand it may be too far down the road for the seller to be able to make decisions and I’m sure the rules vary a ton. Any advise as to what I would say on the phone. Also in the future would you recommend focusing on pre- foreclosures?

Thank you