Be sure to read as many topics in the forums that you can and participate, read the blogs and listen to the podcasts.

You want to embark into real estate in Fort Lauderdale, as you well put it: “I'd like to get as much education as possible on the industry, and don't mind taking classes to educate myself.”There are many people in Florida that are involved in this industry, but I advice you to be careful 'who' or what 'company' is going to be your mentor since the 'thinking' and ideas in this industry varies as do the participants.

I’m encountering wholesalers, real estate investors, house flippers, and buy-and-hold participants everywhere using the same knowledge base that played a part in the last crisis.

@Chris Morey,It's not that you're shutting him out - in fact, invite him to participate.If he chooses not to participate, then it's his choice and not your fault.

And anything specific that i need to keep in mind while participating in the bid ?

I've participated in 9 tax-deed auctions in Northern CA, so I know some stuff but not everything.

I would LOVE to purchase this property, but as I have never participated in a sheriff's sale, I wanted to ask the BP community if there are any ways to gain an upper hand in regards to foreclosures.

The IRA cannot be loaned to you the IRA participant.

Give him/her the opportunity to participate in seller financing at 5%. 

At that time there were half-a-dozen active Canadians on the site, that number has now grown considerably - participation by more Canadians, makes the site more valuable to Canadians (and others who may choose to invest in Canada after November :-P )