In a competitive housing market it is much more more important to use a lender that can close the deal and close it on time instead of trying to shave off an eight of a point.

What I have found is great in a rural area is that when bidding on a foreclosure, there is almost never any competition.

Jim Keller do you have a track record, if so, there's your difference and one of many competitive advantages.No track record, no skin in the game, likely no rich savvy investors either.

I'm doing owner occupieds so I thought there'd be a bit less competition.

The deals that I've seen with no contingency are deals where there was a lot of competitive bidding for a desirable asset.There are at least 4 scenarios where an offer without any contingencies can make sense1- Very low earnest money with non performance penalty limited to earnest money2- Long future closing date so purchase contract acts as an option3- All due diligence completed prior to execution of purchase contract4- Willingness and ability to purchase all cashTax sales, foreclosure sales, final sale auctions are all examples of purchasing a property with no contingencies, other than perhaps good title - and at foreclosure sales even that's not a given!  

We made an offer for 105,000 knowing that there might be some competition - come to find out there were multiple offers and we matched the highest but they said our offer was more attractive than the other buyers.

This is the type of deal I would expect in a hot, competitive market in an appreciation heavy area.

I'm not so sure I'd use the word bubble, but DFW's investment market is a bit overheated in my opinion, w/ too much competition (esp. from newbies anxious for a deal) driving up prices IMO.  

", etc.) and accomplished your goal without tipping off the competition.  

Is there a lot of competitive vacancies in the area that drive down rents to keep properties occupied?