Starting to invest in a stabilizing market - bad idea?

[Taylor Green]

Hi, I have a question about starting out as a multi-family investor in a stabilizing market... I was wondering if it's a bad idea. Naturally, it seems like the best deals are to be found in a down market, so I'm not sure what to do...

Should I keep making offers (that keep getting declined) at the price I want the property at?

Should I lower my operating expense projections which would give me a higher NOI that would let me raise my offer? (currently using 60% for operating expenses because owners, for the most part pay water/sewer/trash)

Should I add more money to the down payment to insure cash-flow? (Instead of 25% down, put 40% down)

Should I just become comfortable taking a lower cash-flow?

Thanks again for the input...