When I was considering a remodel on my own home a friend who used to be in construction warned me not to pay until the work was completed.

You may also be able to talk with your contractors and home builders and find what they're looking for in a house to remodel, then talk with wholesalers to see if you can match something up.  

I would up the rent to Market rent and if they stay Great, if not then you can remodel

I used to spend my summers in high school and college working construction for my father's remodeling company, so i guess you can say being a handy man is in my blood.We really interested in investing our money in real estate as opposed to the stock market because our wealth SHOULD be dependent on our passion and abilities over the economy.

We sold primarily to professional builders and remodeling contractors. 

The plan is to enclose the carport into a garage, swap a small den (that I think used to be a bedroom at one point) into a 3rd bedroom, remodel the hall bathroom (its pink tile everywhere!!!)

I have 15 years of remodel and custom home building experience.

In general,newer is better.Unless you're talking about historical homes in special historical neighborhoods,a 70 year old home is gonna be worth more than the homes pushing 100 years that are probably long overdue for massive repairs and remodeling (new plumbing,rewire the electrics,new roof,water heaters,etc.

I am a 20yr carpenter along with a ton of experience in other building and remodeling trades.

The current owner bought the property in 2011 for dirt cheap, apparently started a remodel, but then stopped.