What is the risk here due to increase in competition and can a 30 year duplex compete with newer homes made by big builder?

But I live in Boston MA, which is highly competitive and houses here are very old.

You don't always have the option of financing - Sometimes the property conditions precludes financing, and often you are simply competing against other cash offers, making financed offers non-competitive. 

I know this market is crazy and that the competition will be fierce, so deciding if I try to go down the wholesale route vs.

Investors need to get good at underwriting to remain competitive on their offers without ever having to overpay for a deal.

Keep in mind however, the market is extremely competitive and a lot of duplex deals will receive cash offers.

While there's no evidence of a price reduction, rising interest rates will reduce the amount of competition.

When the wholesaler found another deal in huntsville, he just forwarded this to me and one other investor so there was not much competition!

For a retail owner occupant buyer, this might mean it makes sense to hold off on the house hunt until spring (= less buyer competition for those in the market).

Is it typical for the buyer to cover it all in a very competitive market as Atlanta?