Living in the home with my family also ensures that it's in a great area and allows me to make small improvements while living there.How did you find this deal and how did you negotiate it?

We look at the area, capex, rents, and local improvements to the area.

In this case, we got to keep a great resident, give her zero rent increase, and also improve the financial performance of the property.

The above exercise might give you insight on what you can do to improve. 

Properties that need renovations or improvements can be acquired at a discount, and the increased value can offset higher borrowing costs.2.

While we really need to improve our search, I was able to find a couple of members you might try reaching out to and learning from. 

You have no ability to make improvements to increase the value (and benefit as the owner); you can't deduct mortgage interest on your taxes as you don't hold the mortgage; and you can't own it while the value rises over time.

One thing we do, that I recommend everyone does-- is each year-- improve their place!  

Further, while bringing the estate from the brink of bankruptcy to profitability, he invested all cash flow into improving the estate and diverted no funds to increasing his personal wealth.  

Also, I have heard success stories of folks finding good contractors at the home improvement stores early in the AM.