Also if you don't have a competant CPA get one, and not just for year end tax advice.

Also, attend the note conferences (even virtually) so you can get an idea of who the players (and sellers) are.

Yea we're looking at a value play, solid construction and u-value without the price tag of the major players like Andersen, Pella, etc.

Outsourcing and putting players to play in their best spots is more effective imo.

Two friends knew it had been on the market and separately recommended I look into it, so I contacted the seller directly and found an out of state investor was flying in to see it that following Monday, so I made an appointment to see it that Saturday and made an offer on Monday morning, finally competing with the out of market investor and winning the deal.

Agents, buyers, sellers, companies, customers, parents, kids, friends, spouses, coaches, players, suppliers, vendors, etc. all give and take to get things done.

Big players.. 

As @Jeff Wallace said there are many players and sometimes it's not worth the temptation.

Behind the scenes, some major players in the real-estate industry have been skipping the term for years.

More than ever, having a place to focus on professional productivity while many competing priorities (and distractions!)