Real estate investors often capitalize off ability to create a vision for what a property can look like after TLC, cleaning, etc.

Every investor has different costs of capital, return requirements, risk tolerances, holding periods, tax implications, vision, information etc.

I understand the concept and see your vision.

Whatever your vision is for your project, you have to describe it as clear as possible for your contractor.

The more you know and understand difference niches of real estate investing the easier it will be for you to define your goals and vision.

I feel I may have been misguided by the downloads that came with the rental property management book (it talks about smoke detectors, CO detectors and battery replacement, which clouded my vision momentarily and I lumped them all together). 

The first page or two should speak about YOU, your background, your experience, your dream / vision, your company.

I would love to hear your own/your company's vivid vision!

Once you see a piece of land attractive to you, call sellers and ask all the questions you have as they may already have the answers (for example: which municipalities you have to go for permitting, how much of the land is buildable, any restrictions, etc...).Once that is done, go to the building department and share with them your plans to build and what will be required from you to make your vision come true.

You have demonstrated clearly how you can create opportunity out of an asset when nobody else has the vision.