Finally contacted the listing agent saying what the heck and the next day the auction website let us put a PA on it since we had been the highest bidder in 8 months. 

feel free to PM me, i have a couple contacts we can possibly JV if theirs anything of interest on the table.

This site is great and I finally decided to come out of the shadows and become a member. 

Then the HUD will probably do a best and final with the top 2-5 bidders in each area.  

You'll go broke waiting for the day that Detroit finally turns around.

I've actually found a little soft spot in my heart for the RE agents that just come right out and say "I don't work with investors" because it at least saves me the time and energy.Now having said that - I had to make TONS of calls and send a bunch of emails but I finally found an agent that does nothing more than work with investors and I'm stoked that the hunt finally paid off.And guess where I found that agent at?  

I've been busy the last couple months, and finally got all my ducks in a row.

I am finally at a point where I am ready to take the plunge and stop reading and start doing.

Finally, you may need to expand either your search criteria.  

Posting what you are willing to bring to the table might help you find someone.