We’re in the same boat, trying SO HARD to buy a primary residence but competition is stiff.  

@Anthony Phillips It is a little bit complicated, but that weeds out a good bit of competition.

What was competition like?

.• The nice parts of OC will not allow you to add an ADU.There are opportunities in OC, I just closed last month on a SFR in Aliso Viejo.Stay away from the newly remodeled SFR's, the deals are in the properties where the owners don't have much equity, can't remodel or fix up the properties, and there's no room for anyone to do a Flip, so that competition is off the board, this is the target range.

Does this rate sound competitive? 

Booming area and stuff priced at or below market are very competitive.  

Agents, syndicatiors, turnkey folks...With all of that out of the way, I'd forget about how much money I had and learn as much as I could about different Re niches in order to see where I had a competitive advantage over others.

I found myself chasing deals due to my competitive spirit. 

I've been looking at some MF in Philly and buying with FHA, it is just very competitive.

Basically, the exterior is what really sets this home apart from the competition.