I made a few small improvements to the landscaping, I bought a few new appliances, updated a few fixtures, added blinds to the windows, minor drywall repair/paint, and marketed the property as a 4th bedroom that would make great home office/den instead of a 3 bedroom plus office/den.What was the outcome?

Enhancing the exterior with fresh paint, landscaping, new siding, or an upgraded front door can create a strong first impression.

He earned quick money as a wholesaler, and I have a house to keep)Rehab cost: $20k (vinyl floor, interior paint, new dual pane windows, new toilets and bathroom vanities, lights, new landscape, new AC condenser, all done by handyman, spent some extra money for minor plumbing and electric jobs, hydro jet sewer lines, clean up attic (had mice), added some insulationTime spent: 3 weeks (two handymen for the first two weeks, one for the last week)Value after repair: probably around $440kJobs still need to be done later: some dryrots, roof work (it's tile roof, roof doctor quoted me $9k, handyman said probably $5k, home inspector said $15k you can get a new shingle roof.

Either negotiate a good price or only pick upgrades that's necessary in the rough phase and do the upgrades with your own subcontractor/vendors after the house closes (kitchen upgrades, appliances, countertop upgrades, flooring upgrades, landscaping upgrades you can get them much cheaper without going through the builder).New construction is a winner if all things are the same. 

The report emphasizes the need for CFOs to leverage data on submarket dynamics to negotiate better deals.While challenges remain, the office market’s evolving landscape presents growth opportunities for strategic decision-makers.

That can be remodels, rental data, PM management, and landscaping to name a few. 

Usually people with good credit, income, can get funding for light, cosmetic rehabs (kitchens, baths, paint, landscape).

Is the front lawn expertly landscaped?

Look at everything, from utilities, to landscaping, to property taxes etc to see where you can save.

Since it's almost always a "one-off" per student, of the few that actually do a deal, (who then fade away into the landscape) it's hard to call it a successful business plan for the student.