Buying in a popular area, advice needed!

[Daydreamsinglorioustechnicolor]

I'm not quite in the position to buy just yet, but I do have my eye on the market where I want to live.
Flats on my preferred streets (great convenient location, tend to be larger in size...) tend to go under offer within days.
I would be prepared to pay the asking price to get one of these, or slightly more.
Has anyone got any advice how to be the successful buyer in this situation!
I would be chain free which I guess is an advantage.
I'm thinking these properties might be going to sealed bids which I've no experience of.
I had thought of dropping a note through doors to say if anyone's thinking of selling get in touch directly.
Flats do come on the market fairly regularly.
If I wasn't to manage it, there is a second best location which is a bit cheaper and they tend to be smaller. It would be perfectly OK but I'd really like my preferred location.
Can anyone offer any advice?

Absolutely first thing is to get your finances in order. Get approved for a mortgage, and have proof of deposit. People will not even entertain an offer from someone not able to proceed, and agents are also reluctant to even show a property unless you are ready.
Get yourself registered with every agent in the area. There's a delay between them seeing a property and it getting on rightmove - if you present yourself as keen and ready they may just call you first when a suitable property comes on their books. Then hassle them. Call every week on Monday and ask if they've got anything new.
I'm not sure about doorstepping but I guess it works occasionally.
Do not go over asking in the first instance. Offer a few thousand below and have room to negotiate. If there are multiple offers you are in a good position having nothing to sell, but do your research and if it comes to best and final offers, go with a figure you would be happy with, and make it an odd number (like 103,000, rather than 100,000). I wouldn't worry about also writing a pleading letter, just state your credentials and how quick you can proceed. And always remember the agent works for the seller, not you, and will always try and get the highest price, and making up fictional competitors is not unusual. Good luck!

Great advice thanks midlife

Yes I'll definitely have my finances in order before I start looking.
Its really worthwhile pestering the agents then? I'd kind of assumed I'd just be put on a mailing list of some sort, to be honest I'm never that impressed with estate agents. I will do that though, especially ringing every week.
I think key to things is getting in to view really quickly.
Thanks so much