If you're competing against another buyer, closing all cash quickly can earn you bonus points with the seller, vs a buyer with a financing contingency.2.

Large 4bed/2bath for $12,500 compete with frozen pipes, destroyed hardwood floors etc etc.

One investment book I've read and used tells me to buy houses that have 3 or more bedrooms, that 'the overwhelming majority of homebuyers prefer a 3+ 2 bath house and renters are the same, competing at a disadvantage with not a big difference in price', 'three bedroom houses will rent faster and stay rented longer' he says.

Any OR carrier will most likely not offer coverage in FL, and any FL company will not be able to compete on pricing you will get from any of the standard companies writing your OR portfolio.

We can't compete with taxpayer-funded new construction. 

I would network and find out who the experienced players are in a given market. 

I would not compete here its a race to the bottom in some respects. 

Most importantly you need to convey confidence and assurance you are a player and not just wasting their time.

I know there are players in these area who need to park their money somewhere so they buy property, outright, in cash.

New players that don't know what they're doing are overpaying for properties.