Are We All Created Equally?

How is it that people in different parts of the country are completing their 3rd, 5th, 7th deal etc.? I'm still trying to get that elusive first deal done in California. I think for the most part I am doing what I should be to make this work. I have 20 plus people on my buyers' list. I asked them all the prequalifying questions to find out what they want. I'm working primarily with Real Estate Agents. Initially, my focus was on newly listed property with the following criteria: 1)AS IS, 2) Price Reduction, 3)Vacant, 4)Starter Home, 5)Three bedroom. Each property I wanted had as many 25 other investors engaged in a biding war. On average it appears properties are selling for $30,000 more than the list price. My search now includes properties listed 180 days. The agents aren't finding much of anything. My 90 day cash buyer search in Los Angeles County netted 1,132 cash buyers, 180 were LLC's with multiple purchases. The Assessors Office doesn't update new ownership info for 6 months. I'd prefer calling the investors over sending them a letter. I googled the LLC's and found no contact information. I cant even add them to my buyers list. HELP! If you've done some deals and have any suggestions on how to get my first deal done, I greatly appreciate it. I am working hard.

Thank you,

Greg