It often takes a few miserable outings before one succeeds. My sense is to win one must make an aggressive offer, almost outside one's comfort zone, and understand that over market value might be the end result - but if you don't do it, the winner will, and regardless, a new market value is established. You need to accommodate the seller as much as possible when it comes to the closing date, and do bring a husky deposit to the party. At least 5% of the purchase price is good. Try to get a home inspection done at your own expense if time and access permit, prior to making your offer. And if your real estate agent (even your mortgage agent too) makes a nice presentation about you to the sellers this can also help. Video presentations can be very effective.