The ones we're looking to move on right now....well, I don't think I'll get screaming deals like this all the time, or maybe they're only deals to me because I'm comfortable with the area I'm shopping?

I'm currently doing that on a prospective buy and apparently the $625 I'm seeking in my area is a screaming deal.

If they'd of done that in Texas it would of been bloody, but this wouldn't be happening now.

I've also been concerned about having the sign in the yard because it scream "empty home" and invites the potential for nefarious activity around the house. 

It would scream cheap.I would suggest estimating your material and labor cost for each aspect of the built.  

I have three condos of course after saying all that and manage a bunch more but I am not buying any more unless they are screaming deals.

I am a passive investor who has limited time to source screaming deals and just needs to place my money and quit screwing around on the sidelines.

No great on a per-unit basis, but screaming ROI of ~30%.

We got it done with just hours to spare and Joe did such a good job, I gave him more than we initially agreed upon.A random note to newbies: Crying and screaming will not undo damage to a unit. 

The tenants kicked and screamed, but what I had to tell them was it was a business and that we paid a lot for the units and have to make it work.