How to go about purchasing an REO owned by my local town gov't

[Josh Edwards]

Hi Everyone,

I am sure this question has come up tons of times in other forums but, is it possible to purchase a property if the deed is already in my local town government's name? I was driving for dollars in my hometown and there is this foreclosure that has been foreclosed for a couple of years now and I am just curious if there is any way I can possibly get the property without it going to auction? Or am I out of luck and have to wait until it goes to auction? 

Sorry if this is a newbie question, I'm still learning lol.

Josh