Some areas are depressed because businesses pulled out due to competition and/or political inadequacies.

and you're right, seems to be limited competition, but also/possibly limited buyers/end users. i'm taking an educated guess that deals in my area may qualify for the buy-and-hold scenario.

Have you sized up your competition?

Prices as they are, high and likely getting higher, interest rates likely to tick up some, supply tight as ever, heavy competition on the good stuff, can someone lend some advice for how to find a property?

You can offer lower rental prices to be competitive, and won't have as much competition, and still make about the same income.

Or does no competition mean that the chances are greater of some bookings.

I think this may depend on your market, and if the competition also has electric heat or not.  

They obviously don't understand  the risk they are taking.Tax sale investing is vert competitive.

What I found is the competition in the auctions is no less than the MLS.

A lot of homes on W Blue Ridge Dr before Franklin have already been renovated, so the competition over there is fierce.Feel free to come visit the area around the time that they hold the Upstate CREIA meeting.