As other people have already said, there is a lot of competition.  

Annihilate all competition not by destroying them, but by completely outdoing and out performing them.GET A WEBSITE!

In a highly competitive market, like SF Bay area, the more the better due to a highly competitive market.

This way I get fresh quotes from competitors periodically to make sure my current rates are competitive.

I've been doing some research for rental property insurance policies and see that USAA has some very competitive rates with good coverage.

There are two ways for you to get the actual then....1) if no one is willing to bid that minimum bid (what you are already out of pocket for), then you get the deed. 2) outbid everyone else if the bid opens beyond the minimum.An observation......the bidding at these auctions is competitive, and prices approach retail, if you get the property for what you're already into it for because no one was willing to bid higher, you did Not get a good deal.  

Gordon square is already Hot with a lot of competition, but you can still find opportunities. 

In competitive markets like Indianapolis and Kansas City which I am most familiar wity, demand is high and inventory is low so there generally isn't the luxury of time to go see the property before putting it under contract.

My favorite that made me a bunch of money was buying trustee sales with IRS liens and competition was all freaked out about them and would not bid on them.. not knowing that the IRS redeems maybe .01%  LOL.. 

How competitive is your market?