I plan to attend to shake hands, meet the major players, and hopefully find someone I can do a deal with.

Little history will show some of the largest institutional players(as individuals not on the behalf of institutions) jumped in also in mid 2014-early 2015. 

Connect with:Hard Money Lenders: They know who is consistently getting loans and closing deals.Title Companies: They see all the cash transactions and double closes.Contractors: Many contractors work exclusively with flippers and can tell you who the most active players are.How to Build a High-Quality ListIt’s not enough to just find names; you need to qualify them.

Look for people who are posting about deals in the DMV and send them a thoughtful direct message.Contractors and other tradespeople: These professionals often work with multiple investors and can point you to the most active players in the local market.Good luck!

Very hard to compete profitably when the big players are giving away 2-3-4 months rent. 

The team has a key player injured where his absence in this game will surely end up in a loss, but if you play him, he could be lost for the season.  

That will help you decide if you are a player for future aucitons. 

Plus, the macroeconomics here are incredibly strong—with population and job growth fueled by big players like Intel, Amazon, Google, and others—translating into long-term rental demand and appreciation.Here’s how I’d structure your approach in 2025:— Market to watch: Dayton offers affordability, strong rental demand, and low vacancy rates.

I just don't want to sit here and spin my wheels in the mud and wait and wait for fate; I'd rather actively do something.My soon to be business partner has worked for remodeling companies and knows a lot of the players in her area and nearby.

Meetups and investor groups have been the best way to separate the real players from the noise.A few things I’ve found helpful when evaluating wholesalers:Attend REIA meetups or local investor events — it’s one of the best ways to meet wholesalers face-to-face and hear who others are actually doing deals with.Look for consistency — regular deal flow with solid photos, comps, and realistic numbers is usually a good sign.Check the numbers — if ARVs are always aggressive or repair costs seem too light, I take that as a red flag.Repeat buyers — if other investors keep buying from the same wholesaler, it usually means they’re delivering value.Just talk to them — hopping on a quick phone call goes a long way.