What are real estate investors seeing that I'm missing?

[Phong Tran]

I've been trying to invest in rental properties in Katy/Cypress/Richmond TX.  The last 3 properties (in the mid $300k or less) I tried to get I've been outbid.  Given the high interestrates, I figured I'll be around $200 in the negative cash flow wise.  If I have to bid up much higher than the offer price, I think it would be too much of a negative cash flow to make it worth while.  One of the house I bid up $5K and still got outbid.  And these houses goes of the market in a matter of days.  Am I missing something and losing out on some good opportunities?  I'm not sure what these investors are seeing that made bidding up much higher than the asking price (at this time) justify the investment.