I live in the Nashville area and while there are deals here, they are harder for find and quite competitive in this market.

However, the stiff competition from investors all over Texas makes it rather frustrating.

They have competitive prices, quality products and professional installers available.

Also frankly any place fairly close to Waltham will be the most competitive of the whole range you are looking at so, while a good deal will sell instantly, it will be that much harder to find a deal starting out.I think you are on the right track with the Nashua area.  

What I want to avoid is being in competition with a bunch of new homes. 

Either I need to find them myself or find them from a wholesaler.Any property that is marketed, either on the MLS or Craigslist, is going to generate competition and make it less likely a deal.  

Makes your rental more competitive when tenants comparison shop.Just my 2 cents.

As a competitive real estate investor for over 15 years, I've come to learn that most of my competition will quit at a certain point and as long as my team and I are willing to go beyond where they stopped we will win. 

But hey, the more difficult it is to get the lead the less competition you're going to have!!

THESE LEADS HAVE VERY LITTLE COMPETITION!