Also, how competitive is the market for first-time homebuyers and investors right now?

Strong business credit can sometimes offer more flexible financing options when starting a real estate business.Step 4: Leverage Your KnowledgeAs a business management major, you have a unique perspective and skill set that can add value in a competitive market.

It is EXTREMELY competitive and the margins are very thin, so the more expense you can mitigate the better.

IMO, it is the lack of education (not schooling, but how to clean, teach your kids to respect their living space, etc) that causes the issues, and you have that whether it's a single adult household paying with a voucher, or a two adult household, who both have low pay jobs. 

Utilize Off-Market DealsOff-market deals are valuable because there’s less competition and potentially better terms: Direct Mail Campaigns: Send targeted mail to owners of distressed, vacant, or inherited properties.

I have a property in Summerville, SC and looks like lots of competition for rentals.

I think that line was a subtle shot against a lot of the competition who were founded by software folks or small scale real estate investors. 

Today is an age the USA has long not seen, COMPETITION.

So, essentially it takes out a lot of the guessing and constantly looking at your competition to get you more bookings.

Prices, lack of supply, and high cost of living hasn't changed.