Pick a solid B-Class suburban area.

Highly recommend you start listening to any of the BiggerPockets Podcasts and pick some various topics you may be interested in and see how you may be able to take action, the most important thing you can do!

Why did you pick them in the first place?  

If not, you are going to get pitched and sold and DM'd before you even know what's going on.Bay Area investors invest all over the US, but you don't want to just pick a random market because someone in an internet forum told you to.

Pick one market and go deep.

(perhaps this one but it's 1,367sf) If you pick the right time to list it (Feb to May), I am sure you will do fine.

Ask 3 or 4 companies that work with the size and type of deals you're analyzing and you'll likely pick up some themes. 

He received quotes to remove the texture ceiling, paint the interior, purchase and install new kitchen cabinets and counters (including completing the design), picked out 2 floorings to get quotes which will be provided this week, and determined furnace is beyond saving (I will likely get HVAC quote for him).  

I keep getting the run around and saying oh it's just the slow months and things will be picking up soon. 

If it is, I will certainly pick it up and give it a read.