Don't get too emotional with it.  

Be disciplined during the auction.  

That said, have made one offer (turned down, but stayed disciplined based on pro forma from  BP rent calculator and didn't try to match other offer), and am making offer on another two properties this week.

Here are some guides to this site that can help:Find and connect with other BP members that are in your area--MEETSet up keyword alerts to be notified of the topics that interest you--KEYWORD ALERTSRead Beginner’s Guide-- GUIDECheck out BP Podcasts--PODCASTSFinally, my advice to you would be to take small steps and be disciplined with taking ACTION.  

Remember you have a mortgage to pay too so dont let them screw up your investment with lag of financial discipline.

What I bring to the table:- Stable income/employment history- Handy and technically minded- Great with excel and programming, should translate well to custom analysis tools and automation- Commitment and discipline to spend the next decade grinding and doing whatever (legally and ethically) it takes to be successful.Thank you for taking the time to read this, and thank you to everyone involved with bigger pockets for facilitating this community.  

Set your price and don't let emotion make you bid higher.

But there's a truth in the arbitrage if you can be disciplined about it.Another option that just popped in my head from something you said - if you were to close on your sale after Nov 17, 2018 but before 12/31/18 then your exchange starts in 2018 but your 45 day identification period ends in 2019. 

Drama and trouble.You can be firm, friendly, and helpful but also not just throw away money simply because a tenant showed anger or other negative emotions.

Focus on people you know well, who trust you and vice versa and who are generally easy to work with and have a matter of fact and not an emotional personality.