Becoming an agent when you have no prior experience is a great way learn the ins and out of the industry while supplementing some income.

I've dabbled some money into different retirement vehicles prior to me learning about RE so it would be really helpful if I could get in touch with a company that would be willing to transfer all those monies into a single account that I could use for investing in RE.

You do not need a prior title policy to get a new title policy but it does mean you will need to do a longer search (typically at 30 years back) because you cannot "tack" onto the prior policy (which allows a search forward from the date of the prior policy.) 

2.

@Sebby Gabre Madhin Were you able to get inside the property prior to placing your bid?  

In fact, about 18 months prior I had lived with that friend at the same house.

Prior to foreclosure, the original owner still owns it until the bank completes the foreclosure.

Have the taxes been sold to an investor for prior years? 

 It is best to require utility account numbers prior to them getting keys.

I rented out my prior primary residence, and realized that I love the benefits of providing a place to live, and getting paid for it in the process.  

So, if they bring their account current prior to the next rent charge, then the P or Q process must be restarted when they are late paying that subsequent charge.