Hey Daniel, I'm a Canadian investor as well (out in Alberta).

You can offer to lend the seller money to stop the foreclosures. 7 or do a lease with an option to buy - making up the back payments that would be considered you advance lease payment.Always look at the property if you have intentions of bidding at the auction (this can be tricky because you need to do that with the owner's permission - do try to build a rapport with seller  - also look at the foreclosure suit to find out what the bank is looking for and if there is a second mortgage or other liens.At the court house steps when the auction take place you need to be well prepared with your certified funds but more importantly you need to know the fast sale value of the property - you don't want to pay retail.Get to know your competition - there will be professionals at the foreclosure auction looking to capture some serious equity.

Hey Travis, I close a number of these for clients, usually more common on properties that were wrecked by previous tenants and they want to use existing equity to help repair the damages.We would classify it as a 'Refi-rehab' that would include a direct 'cash out' portion as well as a rehab escrow to reimburse you after you finish the repairs.

I live here as well.

How well would someone accustomed to living in a dilapidated house maintain it during the sales process?  

You can do well in the city or county with the right strategy. 

In addition, the owner of the home must not own more than three single-family homes.3) They are unable to provide sufficient documentation, such as the emotional support animal letter, that verifies the ESA is necessary for their health and well-being.4) The tenant provides fraudulent documentation attesting to their need for an emotional support animal (usually a fake emotional support animal letter).5) The landlord can demonstrate that making accommodations for an ESA would impose undue financial burden or logistical burden. 6) The animal is destructive to the property or displays threatening behaviors that could put other tenants or yourself at risk.7) The size or nature of the animal makes it impossible to house safely or humanely.

For SFH New Tampa is good if you're looking for newer builds, I also recommend Carrollwood and Citrus Park for SFH as well as the others I stated. 

Louis as well.

I feel like i would open it up but stage it well with furniture to show the split