Additionally, my renovations are full guts anymore, which helps limit some competition and allows me to push the ARVs relative to other houses for sale in the neighborhoods.Admittedly, this doesn't necessarily create substantially more deal flow.  

@Sokun So Joshua Tree is an extremely competitive market.

Im thinking if I create a unique listing on Airbnb (After I live in this for a year to meet the VA loan requirements) I can create a competitive advantage by having such a unique property and demand a higher price per night as well as keep the occupancy up.2.

Less competition.

This has caused at least 3 major problems: 1) the market is now oversaturated with Airbnbs, 2) rental rates have come down bc of so much competition, 3) there's a dire shortage of workers available to service the huge increase in the # of Airbnbs.Wait times are often a month or longer for service providers.

It really is about collaboration and not competition.

Most banks or lenders are looking for a property that has a LTV of 75% or lower after cash out and some requesting a DSCR of 1.00x once fully leased.If you was looking for $100,000 you would want to at least get the property to be appraised at $145,000 to get the most competitive pricing and enough cash out for yourself and closing costs.  

having market knowledge and boots on the ground in Buffalo as you noted is definitely a plus, but there is just so much competition right now, even for the most distressed assets. 

It is most likely price, but just look at your competition and try price your home to beat out theirs (within reason)!

Now the fed is expected to begin cutting rates and we may begin to see greater separation between bank and alt. lender rates but if the fed cuts rates slowly as predicted  there is likely still a window where alt lenders will be competitive, especially in the scenario I described.