I haven't had much luck with auction.com but it can pay off with persistence.  

Based on this, I just read this article by a very successful entrepreneur that fits along my approach as well and wanted to share it as it has great applications to real estate investing-hope this helps those with beg dreams understand it is really not through quantum leaps but hard work and persistence that you continue to "get rich slowly".http://www.inc.com/justin-bariso/do-you-want-to-be-truly-rich-what-i-learned-from-a-weekend-with-a-multi-milliona.html

Determination and persistence.

Be the guy who is persistent and gets in the house and no one else doesThese are just some of the ways we have had success finding deals in a competitive market.

Do you find it is more a matter of persistence or having the right connections to find a good investment? 

It can be frustrating but I agree with you that a list this valuable won't come easy and will take a little (or a lot) of persistence to get it.

This is about being persistent! 

I know persistency is the key, but I'm still not getting any responses after several mailings to the same list.Low offers on MLS listings: In this market that seems pretty much impossible as all listings receive multiple offers.Auctions: Well, what should I say, not enough cash for that...I am wondering what others are doing to find deals in this market.

Be patient and persistence are both factors to believe in.  

Are the causes temporary or persistent?