Has anyone here toyed with tearing off the shingles, doing lap siding or board and batten siding in its place, and putting a pitched roof on the building? 

You are in for the long haul as an investor, at least I hope so since you're considering this type of project.  

So if you want cash flow your in it for the long haul if you buyer lower end cash flow..

With this I can buy something and get it up and running and keep it for the long haul.

The other catch is it's "basic installation" - they charge you for tear-out, haul-off, steps, tack-strip, transitions, etc.

Ask if they would partner with you in your goal, (not so much a profit partnership, but you could) but as to committing to a mutually beneficial arrangement for the long haul.

So now that my bachelor days of spending lots of money on silly toys are also past me, I am actually excited to work my way towards financial growth through real estate.  

And then there’s the challenge of supporting 60,000 people essentially in the middle of nowhere — at least 30 miles from any major job centers or public transit — along with all the cars needed to haul them around and maintain their daily lives. $20 million Newport Coast Mansion with Indoor Basketball Court.

Usually, when you invest in more cashflow markets you are not getting as much appreciation and rent doesn't go up as much over the long haul.

If it came with a spare acre or two, you could add U-haul services, build more facilities, etc.