This post does not try solve your problems; it is simply advice for somebody who is about to buy without all repairs completed before closing.

Is it simply getting a real estate license and submitting an application or is it more involved?

If I end up winning the auction and paying the property tax will they have to cover the cost of the back taxes as well or just the price that the house was sold at for the auction? 

Verify that the title company will give you insurance if you win. 2.

Also does anybody have a fairly simply commercial lease they would be willing to share?  

It's a win-win situation for both of us. 

Either way, you are going to need a lump of cash, because good foreclosures that are sold outright are going to be snatched up by real investors, and most auctions are going to require a sizable deposit and closing soon after winning the auction.

Keller Williams has a very important mantra that is WIN -WIN or no deal.  

I am flexible to a client's request, if they insist on HD/Lowes, I would simply let them go with me on the first run, then request a "reloadable" card to not bother them, by then I could offer labor and material warranty (HD has really good return policy).

When a seller has a cash offer vs a loan-contingency offer, cash wins!