Are sheriff sale similar to foreclosur auctions? House 50% equity

[Lorin K.]

My first experience with a sheriff sale was not real property but personal property. I only knew about it from buying some seminar books and so went to my first one. What was up for auction was a wierd assortment of things. Brand new 700 dollar wedding dresses, Prom Dresses, a utility truck and a merlin phone system. Dresses went for 17 dollars each. I was like WHAT? wow. The Airforce guys at the dorm would laugh if they saw me walking into my dorm room with a bunch of wedding dresses :) 

Okay fast forward I discovered Our county has several properties up for auction. I notices several are encumbered with very high 1st or 2nd loans. One property that I really do have some interest in has a low balance of 105k. Zillow gave a estimate of 212, It is a little in the country in farm areas..about 5-7 miles away from I-5. Its actually a nice area. The nearest town is not to far away. Anyone here ever bid on country properties? or stay close to town so renting the property would not be to risky? This house is a estate sale as advertised in the Sharif Sale. Property values are doing very well in the area and population is increasing. I LOVE this area as its more wide open then the congested Seattle Corridor.