As to the point of investor agents swiping up the good deals, I can see how that would be tricky.  

, you must appreciate your competitors, they are the ones that drive you to succeed!

Several times, I have found good deals, and then have had them stolen by an agent. Are there any laws against this? There SHOULD be a law that you are either an Agent or an Investor, BUT NOT BOTH!

He would be a competitor so I really don't want to ask him for advise.This is a short breakdown of situation.

I guess my other question is how much do you look at your competitors.

Business go south and will vacate the space, storefronts close because of online competitors, people work from home, or vacate restaurant spaces to own a food truck, etc etc..  

The square footage this staircase saved made the bedroom on that floor much larger than any competitor’s home could offer with a traditional staircase.

He personally did not attend the auctions- He had a few people working for him that attended & there were times his people would bid up a property to keep it away from competitors, i.e. take it off the market.  

That said, I'm really looking for honest recommendations as I swear amazon authors must have friends pimp their own books and write 1 star for every competitors book.

Better terms than your competitors will allow you to sell faster for more money.Consider this about unemployment, it is discussed very little how many people no longer qualify to receive unemployment benefits.