How would you recommend, or what resources would you refer for us to properly figure out how we spend our time and appropriately get compensated for it?

Almost all of our SF rentals are in owner occupants neighborhoods. 

@Martti Eckert in our opinion, you'll need to be really familiar with construction, including costs, or be able to find somoen on the ground you can REALLY trust (but still verify).

In our still relatively limited experience, seller financiers are usually looking to get a higher asking price in exchange for the favor of the private loan. 

Just wanted to introduce myself and enjoying the Bigger Pockets site and forums.

I know it helped our value.

In our area, it is rare to find a gas station where the real estate is owned by the operator.

We currently live in CA, but are moving to Illinois in the coming months - so this will be our state of residence soon.

Either way it would be a grey area, selling a house with a different amount of units/bedroom/bathroom seems extreme though. its an auction site, I have seen auction sites miss the fact there was additional lots in a sale.

In speaking with our insurance agent, we decided not to make an offer.