Point being, is there any way to get the bank to sell straight to me in order to avoid going to auction again and potentially having another defaulting bid?

A few of my friends and I started an investment group and decided to go to St Louis and purchase properties from the tax auction.

I was able to get in touch with bank rep and make a deal before they put it on auction.

Those are due in 2019 and if not paid, then they are auctioned in 2020.

I reached out to the Dept. of Revenue for clarity on how best to go about paying the tax or possibly getting it released, so hopeful I can get some answers before the auction in November. 

Held our first auctions since Covid started.

At a foreclosure auction, it's probably pretty easy to over-bid when you're essentially in a "competition" with someone, for example.

Hello, I took possession after the auction after couple days by changing locks.

I could give you some resources and websites listing foreclosures, but it would be hard for you to participate in the auction.

But I found it easier at the point after the property goes to foreclosure auction where the controlling party is determined, i.e. the foreclosing bank.