FHA Loans in a competitive market? (Boston/Cambridge)

[Jeffrey D'Eon]

Hello everyone! Newbie here looking for some advice specific to the Cambridge/Boston market (or competitive markets in general).  

I have just started my real estate investing journey and I'm getting ready to start looking for my first deal. Don't be fooled by the "pro", I already gained enough information from this site that I already felt like I had to give back before moving forward. I have looked at a few strategies to get started and the one that sounds the most appealing to me right now is to purchase my first property as an owner-occupied multi unit or a single with additional rooms to rent to local young professionals. Unfortunately, in this pricey market the only thing I can qualify for is an FHA loan if I'm looking to go the conventional route. Before even starting I have been told that it is difficult to get offers approved using FHA in this market, even with pre-approvals.

My questions are the following. 

1. Is this information valid? Is it difficult to get offers through with an FHA loan when I'm competing against people that almost exclusively have 20% down loans?
2. Does anyone have alternate suggestions on how to get started in expensive/competitive markets like mine? I am always open to considering new strategies. 
3. Any additional advice is more than welcome!

Thanks in advance! 

[Russell Brazil]

1) Yes that info is valid

2) Bid a good deal higher than someone with a conventional offer to give the seller a financial incentive to take your offer.

3) Use an experienced agent who gets a lot of deals done. You will be able to leverage their relationships to give you a better chance of competing.