I've build a decent portfolio thus far (via BRRRR) but looking to be more competitive in HCOL area and increase the velocity of my returns.

Foreclosures are the best deals, also the most competition. 

I think it’s a killer niche as long as you vet the supply/demand and competition in the area.

Not having looked at the figures, I'd bet it's much more profitable than in New York given the property prices there, notwithstanding the legal issues.Getting back to what I'm doing, the unemployment rate in Spain has absolutely nothing to do with our profitability, which is dependent on visitors from wealthier countries continuing to spend their holidays in the Costa del Sol and the constraints to further development (and competition).

No other investor will share much, they don't want competition. 

In Southern California, multi-family properties offer potential for appreciation along with some cash flow, given the steady population and desirable market, but higher property costs, taxes, and insurance can eat into your profits, and finding a suitable unit in your budget might be competitive.

Also, a lot of the live investors in my market are just gatekeepers, too busy and competitive to really want to help me out.

Here is the plus side, no competition for the most part.

Even the same wholesalers who fed the scam are now buying back these properties for a fraction of their value.

Try TransUnion's or Zillow's service3) Figure out where you plan to advertise your rental rooms4) Research competition and "plagiarize" their ads5) Use that same research to set your rent