So, if they show their max bid at $125k, and investors are only willing to pay $100k they usually won't bother bidding, and the bank takes it back for the $100 minimum opening bid. 2 reasons I can think of for an investor to bid it up, but below the bank's max bid. 1) Trying to show the bank what investors might be willing to pay, hoping to influence the price they can later buy it for, probably useless2) We had one auction rep who represented a bunch of banks, and was a real prick.  

And influence the path this takes?

Joshsomething that may make linking to the profile easy for the folks who have some issues with links would be is if it could be done as a purl (personalized url)example Or tonyseverino.biggerpockets.comwww.Biggerpockets.com/tonyseverino Just a thought... we use purls in our postcard campaigns,,, traffic jumps when it is personalized.Has the Influence points been added for referrals yet?

My wife works for a global consumer goods company and is a travel "influencer/blogger" on the side. 

Last year 100% of our business came from our sphere of influence (the circle he describes above in green). 

I would invite you, to consider focusing your energy, time, and effort on one or two areas depending on your needs, your fiscal situation, your personal attributes, your skill sets, etc.

School systems are another factor for the young couple with growth in mind, or for those that have older children what kind of an influence do you want your kids to have in their environment.

I'm a bit more fiscally conservative than many others here, but then I went through a stage when I was taking cash to closings WHEN I WAS THE SELLER.

They still do what they think is best and later have to live with the consequences.I just enjoy my limited time around them so their actions do not influence my life.No legal advice.

All of these things can influence what is the best CURRENT strategy that you can later pivot.