Do the right research, put in the right time, find the right property, and structure it the right way and you'll be leagues ahead of your colleagues or competition, depending on how you view them.

In NOVA area I recommend gathering the right team member to help execute in this competitive market.

It is much easier in the current competitive REI environment to enter homes and make offers when you don't have to wait around for other agents to get you in the door.  

@Ryan Dossey  suggest he target towns just north of him along I 5  like Williams  Willows  Colusa Esparto etc. these are all a 30 to 60 minute shot up 505 to 5... so might be worth it for him.these are smaller towns that probably have much less competition than were he is at in Fairfield although Fairfield being a military town Travis Airforce base  there is always some turn over there.. but lots of pressure no doubt.

There are a lot of alternative lenders out here with competitive rates.

Since you're new, if you're in a competitive market it ain't going to happen anytime soon especially in super competitive markets like LA where people are dropping 5 figures a month on just direct mail marketing not to mention their other pipelines.If you do direct mail correctly with enough targets then you can expect solid results.

Hi Pace:I'm a HomeVestors franchisee in Greensboro, NC and right now we get a little better than the national averages you mentioned.I used to use those lists you mention and I believe you'll find those to be competition deals.

I would suppose that "most potential" would refer to the least competition?

This has been my edge in all of my business activities for over 40 years.Want to find deals with the least amount of competition, buy ones others don't want - the dirty stinking broken down ones that are "too much work" for most people to be bothered with. 

My buyers I know personally and have relationships with, of course I know the we buy houses guys and gals in my area but most look at each other as competition rather than a possible collaborator down the road.