Contractors can give you ballpark quotes on the spot, which will tighten up your budget.

Spending on expensive upgrades is not the answer to improve your tenant base in this type of area.Keep the homes habitable, clean, and safe. 

Given his spending habits during his first term, it might be a wash.Costs to build new properties will probably increase.

Keep spending money on it, and if it is not working.. 

Get on a budget, build your emergency fund, pay off all debts, save up.

There are a lot of options out there.Some of the most useful items BiggerPockets members have identified are features that save time so they can spend time working on their next property.

Your clients should focus on properties with significant equity potential and work with experienced contractors to stay within budget and timeline—especially with borrowed funds on the line.Avoiding Bad Deals - Encourage them to work with experienced agents, contractors, or mentors and always run multiple scenarios, including worst-case outcomes, to stress-test their numbers.Reserves - Advise your clients to keep a reserve fund separate from their loan for emergencies, unexpected expenses, or delays.

Don't spend time looking for something that doesn't exist.

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?

Like @Jesse Rivera mentioned above, I also go to a few sessions but spend most of my time in the lobby or at the bar making connections."