Regular sale on MLS, listed for months, but gone after my offer?

[Naveen Desai]

Hello,

I have been actively looking in Northern CA, and obviously deals- which are really hard these days. However, I notice that the RE Websites show these properties are just there for months and I talk to agents. Make an offer, but I get back that it went to other top offers?

Happened 3 times in last 40 days. So what is the deal? They were Idle all along and going off the shelf during end of the year and January?

Should, I doubt the realty agents are trying to get more with this game? Or is it really genuine. I cannot believe it is just a coincidence that all 3 could be a similar case. These are nearby but in different towns, different agents.

How should I proceed scouting for NorCal - east bay deals?