More specifically, the supply index within a 5 mile radius of the facility - is it undersupplied, oversupplied, or at equilibrium, the quality of the competition, is it growing, stable, declining, Median Income, etc. 3.  

Since moving here to Las Vegas I have learned how competitive the flip market is and realized that I will certainly not make it if I only buy at the auctions!

The competition just wanted out.  

As a wholesaler the time saved alone is worth that, and I would imagine a flipper would appreciate the chance to save time and money by skipping the wholesaler.With that said, being a wholesaler myself I feel like it would be unwanted competition!

As @Leo Khmelniker  said, it's super competitive, and there are lots of "trending" neighborhoods/strategies.  

There was one of the 10 page long threads on here a while back that discussed people having "unfair advantages" over the competition, that thing they know or do that lets them score deals that the "average" or "median" investor can't touch.In your case it's clearly construction.

Problem is that I'm shopping around and everyone elses rates are like mid 4's to low 5's for an 80% LTV HELOC so even taking the 90% LTV option with PenFed I'm still on par with the competition it seems.

I know that talking about a bankrupt bookstore doesn't seem to have much to do with real estate investing, but I think it's pertinent because it shows my passion for competition.

@Austin Pham there is a ton of competition from other wholesalers in California, and when homes do go to the MLS if they are anywhere near the price you would be able to offer the seller they usually sell within a week at, above, or close to the list price. 

My main hobby is competitive olympic style weightlifting.