Nowhat’s funny is that we may need listing agent if it is older home or buyer market or cheaper / broken home.Another thing , over here broken home still got bid above ARV without any contingency 

The investor may have access to lower rate/fees Hard Money; to be a more competitive buyer with little to no contingencies; property may be need to be rehabbed and after adding value may be doing a cash out refinance down the road.

The 2nd offer usually has all the contingencies that the seller would be on board with (i.e., quick close, no finance contingency, as-is, etc.) but is priced so low that sellers will re-think the creative finance offer/option.

From a negotiating standpoint, you could use the heloc to make a "cash offer" with no financing contingency and still get a mortgage during the process as long as your closing timeline provides the time to do this.

It is not clear to me what contingencies you removed.  

For income reasons, you can qualify with a non contingent offer letter (salary position) before you start working.  

They suggest relying on the inspection contingency instead.Is this a common practice right now, or is it specific to my area?

You can make the contract contingent upon basically anything.

Since investors and househackers in New York are exposed to more inventory, they are seeing dozens of available properties that fit their criteria vs. just 1-2 properties a year ago.We have more available options, which results in househack investors and homebuyers having more time to negotiate lower purchase prices, better terms, and more favorable contingencies.

Now how can you qualify: -your employer can write a letter stating you are or transitioning to 100% remote worker, if this is allowed;-obtain a transfer letter with your current employer-you can get an offer letter with a new company, letter must be non-contingent, and a guaranteed salary.There are definitely multiple possibilities.