My owners who have updated their homes with modern furniture packages and highly themed rooms, along with a nicely equipped game room do much better than those who do nothing to the home and hope it will attract some guests. 

We're looking to renovate something before the end of the year to accomplish 2 things: 1) Improve home value so we can get appraisal, refinance and leverage that to buy a new property. 2) Take advantage of the tax credits that are out there in 2024 before the new year or is it better to wait until 2025 and just hold onto the cash I have at hand.Here is a list of renovations that will need to be done eventually:*Brand new basement kitchen (cabinets + add seating area - we already have brand new dishwasher, fridge, gas oven)*New standing shower in the basement bathroom*New Siding*AC/Furnace for unit 1 are close to end of life but still functioning*New Fence/landscaping*New Windows for the basement*New Garage (unstable, concrete shifting, very old)*Solar Panels on the roof (There is a $0 down payment lease option w/ sunrun, but I'm hesitant to move forward)*Renovate master bedroom closet for tenants (it is old & has built in entertainment center that is very dated)*Repair Catch basin*Adding better drainage system for back door.Greatly appreciate any help, insight or advice!

Surely your parents will support your purchasing lawn care equipment, ladders, etc. - I may be wrong on this, but I don’t think you can buy real estate for anothr 3 years, until you are an adult.

Then I get the prospective clients making 6 figures on their regular job but they're still swapping out doors on kitchen cabinets or fixing toilet guts in the evenings and can't see the forest through the trees yet. 

It was close to the public library, where Ashley liked to borrow books and movies, and there was enough space for their clothes and kitchen wares and their cats.

Are they laying out things down to your kitchen cabinet sizing?  

Fire rating, mechanical equipment and materials often change and are more expensive.

Purchase price: $40,000 Cash invested: $16,000 Conveniently out of the flood plains, this welcoming 3-bedroom home is features a huge master bedroom, refinished hardwood floors, spacious living and dining rooms, and a stunning kitchen!

A PM may have construction relationships but they are not equipped to understand the complexities of construction outside of perhaps unit turnovers.

I'd say your first move should be to house hack and get out of the apartment, this is the most beginner-friendly way to get started, and as you continue to educate yourself you'll be better equipped to find other deals as you learn.