However, you'll have data that is highly targeted and fewer competitors.

I know this for a fact as I've seen some of my competitors doing this. 

As for the condition of the unit vs your competitors, are there any competitor properties with onsite offices that you can visit to see what you're up against?  

On top of this, they've seen this massive liquidity boom make some of their competitors obscenely rich and they don't want to miss out.

I am still working the deal and if it goes through I could easily see getting $1,500-$2,000 (possibly more) for picking up my phone, looking at a house for 20 minutes and contacting a competitor with the opportunity...  

Not likely...wipe out the guy who reads a news article on a new competitor and calls it quits?

Again, check what the norm is in your area because if all your competitors are paying for it, you'll need to also in order to rent the house quickly.

Later on competitors came out like Oops, Goo Gone, etc. but my Uncle started it all.

If your competitors have it, you need to as well.Locating some "extra" or discontinued pieces could save you a bunch and locating a great installer who can do the labor for cheaper is the second half of that equation.

That said, the two investors who lost houses in that subdivision were both competitors of mine, so maybe I should be happy they didn't have insurance...they're not happy about it, though...