Based on the limited info provided, make sure that the numbers look good for a flipper to come and buy it from you and that everyone still wins.

Should I hire a lawyer to help me with the process?
This is the first time I bought from sheriff sale, what are the things I would expect to? Will I obtain a key?

is it in an area you think it went rent easily enough?  

So I'm thinking if I can even talk him down a bit more I can easily still get a bigger spread.

It is my belief as a novice investor as well that we need a win first.

Consider this excerpt from the legal notice I pulled from our local paper (I left out the pieces that are easily understood like 10% cash due at sale, etc ):... in order to raise the principal sum of $137,040.05 with accrued interest of $21,804.38, through January 29, 2015, with the total subsidy granted of $11,690.08, escrow charges in the amount of $1,709.14, with late charges in the amount of $1,014.40, and with fees assessed of $6,621.93 for a total unpaid balance due of $179,879.98.  

Otherwise, looks like only HOA really wins here.

We have several investors that offer, win, purchase, then immediately relist on MLS at the original HUD offer price.

Go build your own winning team… and good luck investing!

Listings should be truthful, but human error can easily cause mistakes.