You need to do whatever it takes to be competitive in your area.

There is so much discussion lately regarding what markets buyers can look at for cash flow, how competitive the housing market is in general, whether housing is at a peak, super-low inventory everywhere, people unable to find deals, folks wondering why others are buying (apparently) cash flow negative investments, and so on.I'm wondering if anyone is actually selling into this low inventory market? 

get away from the city and theres a lot more opportunities with less competition and much lower expenses.I worked years as a plumber in most of the areas you've mentioned and struggled to make any progress.

The land is adjacent to my quadplex and i let someone else buy it , he could be a potential competition.

But there are a lot of buyers and this winter I've seen some absurd  competition to buy deals that just frankly weren't that good.

If you close in 45 days with a normal owner-occupied loans, you should be able to make competitive bids. 

Most flippers I know who work that area would want to put it on the market where the competition is likely to fetch more than asking.

I work in a very heavy short term rental market. 

Competition isn't real -- if you have a good product and there are customers for that product, you can succeed.You get off market deals by contacting people that are off market and seeing if they would sell. 

@Thomas Pollard it sounds like a very heavy lift for a first project.