Keep checking back every week to see what the next 30 days look like for competitors.

In addition, because we have the resources to scrape pricing/occupancy data of all major competitors in the area, we're able to track and identify occupancy trends before they happen and make competitive pricing decisions in real-time that increase over-all revenue/profitability for the owner. 

In one of Grant Cardone's books he talks about offering your customers something that your competitors don't have in order to dominate your market.

We've been successful at closing more deals than competitors by staying focused and working closely as a team.  

Would I treat it as if it was a normal lead, giving a competitor a chance to see how I operate?

I borrow my competitors content and ideas all the time.

Furthermore, many states have a shortage of appraisers in these few years, so could be the right timing to enter the market and fill up the demand.However, to differentiate your practice from competitors, being a commercial real estate appraiser could be the way to go.

Don't know about Fannie's follow up, but your competitors may drop a dime on you.  

We did this so that we could make a stronger offer than our multiple competitors who were offering more $$s  but with financing.  

For each of the 5 properties in our area that we bought this year (our first as active investors) there have only been a few "competitors".