In tough markets, flippers are competitively bidding properties up to where you have to buy it at 85% of ARV.So, either with parents' help in the next 4 years, or on your own at 18+ years old, get motivated, get educated to know a good deal, and take advantage of nice profit potential in REI.I've been pointing new investors to consider the BRRRR method of fix/hold rentals.

I run comps weekly to make sure the price is still reasonable and competitive with the market.

And most importantly, if you have used/known other lender can do this no tax-doc loan with more competitive terms, please feel free to reach out to me, much appreciated! 

Tell us more about those deals sometime ;)You're the first guy I think of when someone mentions the NW corner of the state, I can't imagine your competition is too fierce up there, good on you!

I personally do not like LA, but that's just me. as a real estate investing location, I would pass, because to me, it seems like there is more competition, and everything is so expensive.

I try and discount some night just to get the couple bookings I have gotten via AirBNB.Homeaway is also constantly rolling out new improvements to the website and app.They now have pricing tools and other analytic that show competitors pricing with graphs and charts.They also show if someone did an inquiry and booked another property and you can see what the other property is to see the competition.

I'm north of Boston in Massachusetts which is a very competitive market, and am open to single families, multis, or condos that I can rent for more than the mortgage for a 15 year loan.

I'd like to be even a fraction of the way there in 10 years, so am looking forward to learning more from the trailblazers out there.

In all the offers I've been a part of, a pre-approval from a traditional lender < POF from a HML < POF from an individual partner or family member < POF in personal name showing assets (like stocks) < POF in personal name showing cash or cash equivalent.Know that some of your competition, when offering on a property they know many others will be going for, emphasize their offer only requires their signature - no lenders, 3rd parties, or anything else... a true cash offer where they 100% control the decision.  

Options include driving for dollars, absentee, probate, using listsource if you are not in a competitive market, buying lists that are exclusive for your market type  3) Start a sustained direct mail campaign.