The problem (as you have cited) is trying to understand what you need (you don't know what you don't know), where to get it, qualifying its source(s), and the validity and usefulness of all that.Pardon me if I've gone into this too much, but I meet many people with the same concerns that you are voicing and this is offered, as much as possible in direct response to your post.Please feel free to contact me if you have any comments or questions. 

This market is best suitable for a gambler in my opinion

In my opinion, making an offer site unseen is not a risk.

I am considering getting into this space (looking at some courses), but worried that its too late, and that deep local market knowledge/understanding of buyers/connection with developers etc is required to make this work, which only incumbent/long term investors will have and would be hard for a new entrant starting from scratch to catch-up...is my hypothesis valid in your opinion ?

Hoping to get some opinions on what I should be doing differently.

. :)And you're entitled to your opinion. 

Usually will work in GA, NC, OH, TX or FL areas.I am always willing to take advice from experienced investors on topics I may be unsure of and I am also able to provide my own perspective on topics I've studied, have been through or just my opinion in general. 

An even stronger indicator is that I am getting more and more orders to do BPOs (broker price opinions) for "banks".

Also know that upon sale sometimes the presence of more water meters increases value.Curious to understand the forum's opinion on the best water meter configuration given costs OR if it’s just not worth it and I should leave the one master meter and stick with RUBS on all 4 units.

My opinion on this is split between two answers:1) invest in your backyard.