Currently the work thats being done is both upgrades and work necessary to satisfy the Detroit City in order to get my rental certificates.

I would explain that I typically do not do upgrades except during turnovers between tenants. 3.

If we want to make upgrades to the units while our tenants are in there and negotiate an increase in rent when the lease terminates - suggestions on an appropriate way to do that? 

@Carolyn Fuller here is one of the many I have done ( I update them every year or so depending on changes I make to upgrade) CLICK HERE

Make a habit of checking your competitor's listings periodically and when it makes sense for you, make upgrades and listing updates.

Hoping to buy one property by the end of this year, 2 next year and to scale up.Neighbourhood: Class B or C+ neighbourhood.Rehab: Comfortable with cosmetic and upgrades to the property but not a whole tear down gut job. 

Cash Flow: Older Property: Yes, an older home might need costly repairs down the road, such as roofing, plumbing, or electrical upgrades.

Consider property types, low down payment financing options, cash flow calculation, tenant screening, and property upgrades.

It can add a couple of days to upgrade the panel and outlets to a week to rewire.

At the end of the day, you probably should have just flipped the house (but then you probably chose rental upgrades vs. nicer ones so that you won't get as much on the flip either).