Doesn't have to cost much, but pick a few areas where you want to buy and market the heck out of those areas - post cards; put out flyers and business cards; walk neighborhoods and talk to people who live there; write articles for neighborhood newsletters; put magnets on your car doors, etc., etc. 

I am also looking for better ways to find out if any construction projects are going on but I'm not sure which office handles that or if they have newsletters/meetings.

Get some electronic door locks, find a cleaner on Nextdoor and spend about 10 minutes a day per property adjusting pricing and managing cleaning schedules. 

I do not allow them to sign a lease until they've presented certified funds for security and first month's rent (usually at start of lease-signing appointment, or I'll send lease electronically once funds are deposited-- Google wallet works great for that). 

There is no fee to the LL or the tenant if they pay on line with an electronic check.  

I also moved them to electronic payment.  

NACHA is the organization that manages the development, administration, and governance of the ACH Network, the backbone for the electronic movement of money and data in the United States and is funded by the financial institutions it governs.

If the property is on a mechnical lockbox versus the electronic lockbox (like they use with HUD properties) you might be able to just send your buyer there to take a look at it themselves without the use of a realtor.

I collect electronically every month on all my rentals.

We send stuff like this to tenants all the time, just a monthly newsletter.