While waiting for this home to go into extended period, knowing there will probably be high investor competition, this other home came along and my daughter can move into it.

I'm local Investor and Own a Real Estate Group, and yes the Seattle is very competitive.

To stay competitive you must leverage technology as well.  

In terms of stable and appreciating markets of Connecticut, they are much more competitive and unless you build out some solid direct marketing, I feel they are overpriced currently.

I would be cautious at these levels and look for deals or at least have some buffer in what you think you can pull in based on occupancy and current nightly rates.A unique property may give you a leg up over competition. 

Moreover I think this would be beneficial for new and small time investors facing increasing competition with Institutional investors buying in large numbers. 

I just finished up a flip in the City of Plymouth (also very competitive like Ann Arbor).

I thought that space would be a little less competitive, too big for mom and pop and too small for most syndicators but I was wrong. 

How can I find out how competitive the investing market is there if I am located out of state from where I am moving to? 

Houston is a tough market because it is competitive.