[MikeSid]

Do you have enough cash to completely fund the purchase price on the spot with a certified check? In most states, foreclosure sales are cash auctions. A whole industry of short term bridge lending has developed in recent years due to average home buyers wanting to buy at foreclosure sales.

Given the questions you have, I would doubt that you have enough time to do the diligence that you need to do in order to actually safely engage in this sort of transaction by next week. Your best bet would be to attend the sale, watch what goes down, talk to people, get the lay of the land. If you still want this particular property, at least you will learn what the new owner paid at the sale and you'll find out first who that is. Contact them before they list and make an offer (after your diligence is complete). Maybe they'll make a little profit, you'll get a deal, etc.

From what I understand, New Jersey is a judicial foreclosure state which means the sale is done by a court order and probably by the county Sheriff. That might change whether it is a cash sale or whether you have, say 30% now and 10 days to close, etc.

I do this for lenders in Washington, and it's a bit different for sure. But there is one immutable truth, the investors that do this daily will be miles ahead of a first time auction attendee. You can catch up fast, and you'll have a more singular focus, but they'll likely have resources you don't both with information and immediate finance.