Brokers will save you money and be more competent, in general, than many college age loan officers you'll meet at the bank.  

Without much experience in wholesaling, short-sales, or foreclosures, I was hoping someone might be able to suggest a few options for me to acquire the property before it goes into foreclosure and/or the bank puts it on market for me to compete with others investors, etc.

I visit the foreclosure auctions frequently to build our buyers list and there are dozens of buyers competing over overpriced homes.

I get that mentality for the Big Players.

They don't want to sell it, but they're in poor health, strapped for cash, and want to stay in their home.My market is super hot, and I don't want to have to compete for this house with the thousands of other investors in my market.Also, one of my neighbors is a total jerk, and at the very least, I want to control who moves in directly next door. 

@Aimee Lawrence looks like you figured out the "@ blah blah" thing :)My guess is that a south FtCollins STR could still work, but I'd encourage you to do some research on AirBnB and VRBO to get a feel for competing inventory and average vacancy rates.

Those houses aren't lasting long on the market because they have nothing they are competing with.

@Jay Hinrichs do you have an agent you recommend that is competent in good Timberland?

Can you sell a $35k MH in your community or would you be competing with stick built homes at that or near that price?  

Many keep the homes for multiple years, get local jobs that keep them around, players report early, a few take some classes in the summer etc.