Question re buying from auction vs REO?

I am an indiviual looking to buy a house not an investor. However, I want a cosmetic fixer to rehab. I have been stalking neighborhoods and have a clear picture of what I want and where. I have narrowed it down and have several houses I have been stalking. Of those a couple are slated to go to auction.

My question is, I am not qualified/experienced to buy from the auction (nor do I have the cash or a hard money loan), is there anybody that, for a fee buys the house I point out and then and sell it back to me? I can identify the house I want and sign some kind of guarantee that if purchased below x amount I will buy (with a conventional loan 20% down) with a x fee.

I don't like to leave it to chance that I will be the winner in a REO sale on the MLS, plus the waiting months for the banks to list it.

On the flip side of that, say the house goes back to the bank due to opening bid being above market value, is there anyway for me to buy the house from the bank directly instantly, at market value?

I found one that a realtor put a sign in the front yard saying "coming soon" I called realtor directly, he showed me the house I told him I would take it for x amount, as is. He said it still had to be cleaned out by the bank, now I am being told it is going to be re-painted and new carpet put in. All of this has a cost to me in time and money. It has been a month and still not listed.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.