Curt when the lenders do an auction as they have been doing lately you can preview the home with a Realtor® before the action. If you are talking about sheriff sales those properties are being sold to satisfy a court judgement and are not REO properties. If you go to the house the owner may still be there. You may get arrested for being a peeping tom if you look in the windows of an occupied house.
Auction properties are sold as is where is and not subjuct to you cancelling because of inspections. Also there is a buyer premium on auction properties sold by the lenders so take that into account when bidding.
Good Luck

Curt,

REO properties are properties generally already owned by the bank after auction. Foreclosure properties (going to auction) are still owned by the person(s) on the deed. It's not legal to tour foreclosure properties prior to auction without the owners permission, that could be considered trespassing. However, others still do it anyway. My team attends the local auctions and purchases properties etc. I would be willing to teach you the ropes. Give me a call.