I'm a combustion engineer these days, but I specialized in modern dynamics and controls. 

Can any professionals out there recommend a solid laptop for excel, word, and RE research type of work?

A simple but modern website on an all in one platform should run you about $150-$250 per year including domain and business emails.

Then, your judgment is that the average apartment house, thoroughly modern, is worth about 30 percent less?

What you get in pedigree and consensus, you pay for in modern design and ease of use.

A great mix of modern and brick.

Updates include custom kitchen, updated baths, new windows, new door, modern laminated flooring throughout with new baseboards, tankless water heater, new light fixtures, beautiful landscaping.

@Mark Zippo I have not purchased black windows for a remodel but in my opinion I'd only use them on a new construction/modern home.

I'm now a buyer in the Raleigh area from Virginia looking for the more modern Copperheads in crawl spaces, Owls in chimneys and flirting with bats in attics. 

I do feel like I could bring a lot of value in terms of modernization and marketing.I hope to show my risk capacity, eagerness to learn and wanting to do more.