How to bid on a Homepath or HUD home

[Kimberly Green]

Hi I need some advice on how to bid on a HomePath or HUD home.

I read that I would need to use a HUD-registered selling broker in order to bid on homes listed the hudhomestore.com site. Does this mean that I don't need a buyer's agent or does this mean that the selling broker is functioning as the seller's agent and I should still contact a buyer's agent?

Also, I didn't see any similar requirements on the Homepath.com site.  Does that mean that I can bid directly on homepath homes myself?  Also, if I plan to flip the home, do I still need to take the Homepath Ready Buyer course?

Thanks (DC, Maryland, VA)