Like I just told them I want to be a professional poker player.

CA startups are like a young NBA team composed of players fresh out of college.East coast pharm giants are like an old NBA teams with players in their 50s, where young players are sitting on bench.Who will win?

I know myself to be organized, hardworking, a great team player, kind and respectful, motivated and logical. 

One of my mentors was also a school teacher, friend of the family who evolved into a national RE player reaching 9 figures, yes, 9!

I'm not saying these guys are not big players in the space, but I've never heard of them.Beware of people who just teach classes as their income.  

At this time I would say no S2A is not a player.

I've found that new construction in most cases has less margins and more "professional players".If you aren't going to go ALL IN on new construction with the plan to build many houses I don't advise on it. 

Every investment property has a pool of potential tenants.In the market I am presented with, 5+ units separates the newbies with little capital from the 'players' because the new entrants generally can't get financing without the 1-4 family GSE money.

I've experienced what you are going through in the Austin market, where everyone is a player with money making offers up to $10,000 to $15,000 over asking price. 

I did go to the courthouse not expecting many players but to my surprise their were many investors bidding high.