REO preferred.Properly analyze and interpret all aspects of the property financials and that of other competitors in the sub-market.Visit your sub-market competitors.Learn the demographics and economic facts in that market.Know the actual costs of labor and materials for the property's deferred maintenance and capital improvements.Retain a top real estate attorney in that market.Have 10% or more down payment.

As soon as an agent finds out you are working with one (or more) of their competitors they will lose interest.

Some competitors might be your friends and you might help each other.  

Value creation in business is not about ethics, it's about what separates you from your competitors and why customers choose your product over others.

Who ever has keys can come in and swipe what ever they want, ask family emergency contact if you should change out locks.. and give that person sole access.

That being said you have to work pretty hard to be a competitor to be competively good at investing.  

You can wait for the 20% off coupon for Lowes or Home Depot and stock up using that, you can usually find one online that may not have a valid bar-code but can be taken to the competitor where they will match it.

As has been stated if this is a rental, what are your competitors doing?

Is there a competitor nearby that is bigger, better and cleaner ?

Is it wrong to use your "looks" to gain an advantage over you competitors?