Bidding wars are crazy.  

This was buying dead brands where PROFESSIONALS in those particular industries in question couldn’t avoid bankruptcy and every single major brand in those industries failed to bid even a minimal amount to buy those brand names  - because they knew those brand names were worthless.  

This means more opportunities for the investors who can see the forest from the trees and it also means that I don't need to participate in a bidding war when I want to but a property there.

Interestingly, right after accepting that offer, another buyer reached out with an even higher bid.

Quote from @Jack Saunders:Typically you do not get to go inside the houses before bidding. 

i'm bidding the max i can to make the deal work, and if it doesn't work, i move on to the next one. 

Check online reviews and interview multiple contractors to compare bids.

On MLS and I actually bid 4K more than asking price.

We tried selling it at auction and didn't get any bids, so we have to get it finished

While operating as your own GC this will save you money, coordinating can be a bit challenging.Once you have decided the level of involvement you want in the project, just get bids from multiple vendors based on the same statement of work and compare the offers.