Why Collaboration Beats Competition in Real Estate Investing

Many new investors enter the market focused on one thing: competition in real estate. They want to beat other buyers to deals, win bidding wars, and keep all the profits for themselves. But veteran investor Marck de Lautour, who has completed over 2,000 deals in Kansas City, Missouri, argues that this mindset can actually slow an investor’s growth.

With more than two decades of experience, Marck has seen firsthand that collaboration creates more opportunities than cutthroat competition ever could. His story shows how investors can thrive by adapting to market changes, building partnerships, and focusing on long-term wealth instead of quick wins.

Starting Out and Adapting to Change

Marcks journey into real estate began in an unexpected way. Originally from New Zealand, he came to the U.S. on a tennis scholarship. After college, he flipped his first property and walked away with a $25,000 profit. That single deal convinced him to skip the corporate world and go all-in on real estate.

Over the years, one of his greatest strengths has been adaptability. For a long time, his main strategy was buying foreclosures at courthouse auctions. His team was closing over 140 homes a year this way. But when online platforms made foreclosure data widely available, competition in real estate exploded. Prices rose, margins shrank, and the strategy that once fueled his business dried up.

Instead of giving up, he pivoted. His 30-person team shifted to direct mail campaigns and other off-market acquisition strategies. By focusing on creativity and flexibility, they kept their pipeline full even as competition in the foreclosure space became too fierce.

Takeaway: When competition in real estate gets intense, investors who adapt and find new deal sources continue to thrive.

Why Collaboration Beats Competition

Many new investors approach real estate with a scarcity mindset. They see every other investor as competition, but Marck believes this is a major mistake.

“Real estate involves multiple specialized skills; acquisitions, remodeling, property management, and sales,” he explained. “Instead of trying to master everything, partner with experts in areas where you lack experience.”

Collaboration allows investors to close more deals, solve seller problems more effectively, and learn faster. By giving up a portion of profits to work with seasoned professionals, beginners gain real-world education that shortens their learning curve.

He points out that our education system often encourages working alone rather than sharing ideas. That mindset carries over into business. But those who choose collaboration over competition in real estate create stronger networks and longer-lasting success.

Tips for new investors:

• Partner with a local expert on your first deals
• Trade some profit for hands-on education
• Focus on solving seller problems, not just making money
• Create follow-up systems for leads that aren’t ready yet

This mindset shift has allowed him to build trust with distressed sellers, especially in pre-foreclosure situations. In many cases, his team offered rent-back options that allowed homeowners to stay in their homes; a solution banks could not provide.

Takeaway: Real growth comes from working with others, not against them.

Building Wealth for the Long Term

Competition in real estate often pushes investors to chase short-term profits through flipping or wholesale real estate. But he encourages a more balanced approach that includes holding rentals.

“If you’re flipping two houses, keep the next one,” he advises. “Be the patient investor. You’ll thank me later.”

Owning rental properties creates passive income and long-term wealth. Instead of relying on selling assets to pay the bills, investors can use cash flow, appreciation, and refinancing strategies to grow wealth tax-efficiently.

He highlights four key wealth-building steps:

1. Buy properties that generate positive cash flow from day one
2. Use depreciation to lower taxable income
3. Refinance appreciating properties to access tax-free cash
4. Hold long-term to build generational wealth

He summed it up clearly: “I’ve never met a 70-year-old investor who says, ‘I wish I didn’t own those 200 doors that I bought 20 years ago.’”

Takeaway: Lasting success comes from buying and holding assets, not just competing for the next flip.

Lessons from Sports and Business

His competitive nature comes from his background in tennis. The discipline of training, competing, and balancing school taught him skills that later fueled his business.

But while he thrived as a competitor on the court, he learned that business works differently. In sports, winning means beating an opponent. In real estate, winning comes from collaboration, creativity, and long-term planning.

He still surrounds himself with competitive people who push him to grow, but the focus is no longer about outlasting rivals. It’s about building wealth and helping others succeed along the way.

Takeaway: Competition sharpens skills, but collaboration builds wealth.

Key Lessons for Investors

Marck’s story is proof that competition in real estate is not the only path to success. By adapting to change, collaborating with others, and holding assets long-term, investors can build lasting businesses and generational wealth.

His advice for beginners is simple:

• Don’t overthink your first deal, just get started
• Seek out partnerships instead of trying to do everything alone
• Be patient and focus on building long-term wealth

The real risk in real estate isn’t losing money on your first deal. The real risk is never taking action at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Marck consider the biggest mistake new real estate investors make?

He believes the biggest mistake is “paralysis by analysis”; never taking action. Too many people get stuck studying or saving money while missing real opportunities.

Q: How does collaboration help new investors?

Working with experienced partners allows beginners to learn faster, avoid mistakes, and close more deals than they could alone.

Q: Why does Marck recommend keeping rentals instead of just flipping?

Owning rentals provides passive income, tax benefits, and long-term appreciation. Flipping provides short-term profits but does not create financial freedom.

Q: How should investors handle heavy competition in real estate?

Adapt by shifting strategies, such as targeting off-market deals, using direct-to-seller marketing, or building partnerships to access new opportunities.