I feel that im getting to know the larger players in the market by doing that. 

No, you cannot, there're very specific rules against it, despite the YouTube webinars encouraging you to deduct them (the symphony players lost a court case against the IRS trying to deduct their performance tuxedos)and so on.I know it's tempting to think you're sticking it to the IRS, but in the end they will stick it to you.

The Columbus market has been crazy and I know a large number of OOS investors are testing the waters, so just make sure you are ready to move or you will find your calls go unreturned as A players don’t have the time.

NEWS: I just got the fee reduced to $55 per player now.

Of course building large apartment complexes is a big endeavor, but if there are a lack of apartments, I bet renters would love some nice quads nearby built by smaller players.

This can help set you apart from many other players in your market. 

If so, it seems like they are not marketing to the vast majority of potential buyers (because even these big players have <20% market share in any given market).

You can engage another PM company to manage the new properties and this will give you a backup/bench player and keep your checks and balances.  

The team wouldn't succeed if it didn't have the right team players in place responsible and executing on their roles.

One thing I'd recommend to ya is to get around the MAJOR PLAYERS.