Should I bid during the upset period on soon to be REO?

[Mike Dawson]

I found a foreclosure I'm interested in and just trying to strategize.  

The bank has the winning bid.  Is it a good idea to let the bank win the auction, and then try to negotiate with them?  Or, place an upset bid and win it myself?

I like that if the bank takes ownership, any title issues will be cleared up, but I also don't want to have to pay more for this property.  On the issue of title, a friend of mine who has being title work for 20 years has helped me research this property and he's seen nothing that would suggest I would have any issues, but did suggest a real estate attorney and title insurance regardless.  

Thanks for any help!