The solution I found, thanks to my Architectural background, is to do virtual walkthroughs  of all my rentals. 

One of my college roommates was an architecture major and I got to overhear dormitory conversations about the failures of sweeping up slum dwellers into high-rise apartment buildings.

I've been an architectural enthusiast since I was 7 years old when I  first saw Frank Lloyd Wrights' Falling Water.  

The building that I’m looking at has all new floors, brand new architectural shingle roof, new units, new water heater’s, new countertops, etc, not much of a comp.

@Hunter Harms If you are working with an Architect that is only an Architectural firm then yes it would be on you to hire the contractor.

This is actually fairly painless - you may only need a site plan & floor plan so the engineering / architecture work is very minimal.  

Also, even if you take an older property and do a full renovation (new plumbing, electrical, roof, etc, etc.) it is unlikely that you will be able to provide all the amenities that new(er) construction probably do (e.g. exercise room, higher ceilings)The counter example is a old building that was build with large units and lots of architectural detail in a 'trending' part of the city.

If it's in the budget, an architectural roof shingle would change the entire look of the home.

The current owner had an architectural study done, and he has plans drawn up (which we have seen) for the conversion to 12 apartments.

You're also forgetting a bunch of other costs like architecture, zoning, permits, utilities, financing costs, taxes, insurance and probably more I'm forgetting off the top of my head.