@Aaron Aho,Something else to remember about the MLS is once a property is listed EVERYBODY sees it - the competition increases.For comp.'

But from everything I have seen, a very competitive product. 

Everyone wants to be an agent these days, so lots of competition.

It allowed me to offer a higher price to a buyer which put me ahead of the competition.

Even if I don't end up saving money vs. the original offer, probably doesn't hurt to "practice" being aggressive in finding competitive financing...

I am near Irvine all the time.If you find 60%-70% of ARV in SoCal, you would be a rock star ... you are in a much more competitive market than most, and Real Estate is highly localized. 70%-80% and you should be ok for wholesaling here ... if you can get it for less, all the better, but it would be very tough. 

The market is competitive.

Depending where you go you can find competitive rent rates (1brd apt will run you 950-1300) but you can also find some properties which will increase in equity nicely and will be able to cash flow for you when you move back.  

I imagine I would ideally want to price them a bit below market average to beat out some of the competition.

I'm as busy as I want to be but spring/summer tends to get pretty competitive every year.