If more than six years since the auction, and no investor has taken possession of the property legally and continuously and exclusively (more than just putting up a no trespassing sign) then the former owner can get the property back and pay nothing at all.

Sorry this happened to you but you're likely back at square one and going to need to evict to recover possession of the property.

Are there any tips for evaluating whether a real estate agent possesses the knowledge and reliability required in investment areas?

I’m not looking for back rent just possession.

I took possession back in September.

But, most people's personal possessions are worth FAR less than they think.  

So any property that you own or any debt you have in your possession when you close the sale of your old property is not eligible to become part of the 1031.  

This begins good protection for your personal possessions from the risks associated with your RE business.That's only a thumb-nail sketch, of course. there's a lot of details along the way.Note that this is not legal advice, nor am I a legal professional.

We want to know if there is any action she needs to take to be able to take possession of the home or will the living trust automatically put her as the owner?

@Cassie Kwok, if you were to move in you would be able to take over the unit and remove it from the rental market but then you would not be able to re-rent the unit out for a long while. 5 years is a magic number in many areas regarding adverse possession, have you been paying the property taxes or has the occupant?