If they all have granite, then you most likely will need granite and tile to compete for the rent premiums.

Depending on your exit strategy for the property(s), you may have more or fewer buyers competing when you go to sell. 2.

That's a recipe for disaster.I would look for tertiary markets where there are few, if any, major storage players (Public Storage, Extra Space, CubeSmart, etc.), where there is population growth but not too much (too much will draw the aforementioned big players), where they is high demand for storage, indicated by facilities that are occupied and raising rates, and where you feel you could come in and improve an existing facility that isn't being operated professionally or to it's maximum potential (room to build).Or, just invest in one or two via a syndication.

It’s a C class neighborhood in a small town, nothing huge is happening, but if I have competing stories coming in or need to report criminal activity, I figure having external security cameras would be worth it.

He also may feel you're competing with him for the vendors attention. 

A couple hazards I always suggest to new players in the market:1) Know closing costs as @Zachary Paul said above.

Some big players are building entire communities for themselves, while smaller players are doing build to rent on individual single & multi family units, both to keep and to sell direct to investors (taking pre construction deposits when they can). 

.$1000 / $3100 = 32%.As you can see, if you are working with a competent local REI-friendly lender that is doing the arithmetic properly, your DTI should be improving with each cashflow positive property you acquire.

I at least run a couple of scenarios to make sure if things do go bad, there's a sufficient margin of safety.Unfortunately, it is creating situations where I'm can't justify matching or beating competing bids - which is probably a good thing but still frustrating.  

Now, I think the word is out that people are getting WAY over asking price for their homes, especially smaller, older homes which make cash flow rentals.The 2500+ sq ft homes that are 6-7 years old ARE competing against new construction.