Yeah you live in a dense area population wise and it can be competitive in the housing game.

As long as the media keeps pumping "high" unemployment and "declining" population, we will be able to have a field day with no competition and very undervalued deals.At the end of the day wherever you're looking to invest make sure that you have established trust and relationships with key people on ground that will always have your best interests at heart.Don't become another foreign investor succumbing to shady operators here in the US.Thanks and have a great day.

How could I avoid the competition and place a bid myself.

You have a product and you have to compete with the competition.

Even though he has done RE investing himself, he doesn't provides any comps unless asked specifically, no really helpful advice on offer price other than saying "the market is competitive and we need to put our strongest offer in", no help in providing an investor-friendly information (CAP, ROI, other financials ) on properties -  Yes I should always do one myself, but shouldn't agent actively providing one for me?)

I went into this deal being extra conservative, so my profit margin will be a little better than originally posted.What  are your thoughts on the risk of additional newer apartment complexes being built in your area which would now serve as  your competition? 

First let me give a disclaimer: I generally like Real Estate agents and as a matter of fact I am attending classes in the fall to get my license (not to be a full time agent but as a competitive advantage and possible transition career).

A purchase at today's prices would certainly give me a competitive edge of over developers in terms of rent.

Hey, no competition since one else is doing it!  

Do some good keyword research the more specific your site is the less competition you will have in the search engines.3..A one stop service for both landlords and tenants could be difficult.