Having trouble purchasing primary residence in this market

[Nader Hachem]

Hey all,

Im currently looking to purchase my first my primary residence by October. The market where I’m at just seems to be even more competitive than everywhere else. I’ve put multiple offers 40K over asking, waived inspection and appraisal in some cases but just keep getting ridiculously outbid. With rising interest rates, I simply can’t play a bidding war with others unless I want to spend $2500 a month on a starter home payment. 

What ways are there to get advantage over others? Are there ways to find off market deals? Worth going door to door and passing out letters?

When would rent be worth it? Seems like rent itself is also $2,000 a month and I’m worried that money will just be lost in a few years with nothing I’m return. And there’s also the opportunity that I lose appreciation if I did purchase a house 

To make it clear, I’m in metro Detroit michigan and this will be my primary residence not an investment 

thanks!