Plus it can be a great source of deal flow!

So glad you've already plugged into the Bigger Pockets podcast - that was a huge source of education for me when I first started.If you haven't already, I would recommend finding a real estate agent that you trust, and also start talking to lenders (banks, mortgage brokers, credit unions, etc.)

Now, you could possibly cause some problems for the agent who didn’t get the broker’s signature, which as you know you should have verified, and perhaps put some pressure on the brokerage by complaining to their state real estate commission, your only source of possible recourse, but not likely.

My inside source says that your area of the country is the free-est and is beautiful.

A key metric for real estate is the population growth.

For example, I may use my own source to get comps.

If it comes down to it when we would like to sell I will offer them cash for keys and see if I can do that.Thanks,Dustin Gale

Do you get keys/access to the property after you win the bid, or are you just looking in from the outside?

The property was pretty much turn key ready, discounted, and my agent did much of the leg work. 

Everything from near gut rehab to turn key.