Would we be able to spend $1k in aquisition costs to get to that level?

& track my job costs against each category so I can compare my budget vs actuals and calculate the variances.For example:Electrical Budget: $4,000Electrical Actual: $6,300Variance: +$2,300This process is more tedious because you have to breakdown each invoice or receipt and allocate the costs to each Category, but it really helps you understand where you are spending your money and why you went over budget.Otherwise, it sounds like you are having trouble measuring employee productivity?  

How much did you wind up spending in attorney fees, etc?

He spend $3k fixing it up, rented it for $700, but lot rent was $300.

Spend some time talking to investors, asking for names, talk to a lot of banks.

I have had no luck trying to propose seller financing through realtors for on market listings.Bottom line, either spend some time and/or money marketing direct to seller or networking with investors that have been around for awhile.

Quote from @Evan Polaski: @Jay Hinrichs, while I wasn't going to call them MLM, I did attend an Armando Montelongo (A&E's Flip this House from mid 2000's) seminar at a hotel conference room in 2007 or 08, which was the free funnel to spend $1,500 for a three day seminar or $25,000 for an in-person mentorship.I have seen similar promoted with Christina and Tarrek from Flip or Flop more recently.I didn't start realizing how profitable education can be until the last 5 or so years.  

Aside from that the biggest value add areas I see are as follows: Kitchens, Bathrooms, decks/patios (if added), additional rooms/bathsKitchens and bathrooms tend to be the go-to, but all of those can help you get the most bang for your buck. just keep in mind that if the area is already of high quality, then it may not be the best area to spend the money vs something that is blaringly in need of an update.

However you do have a new government that seems committed to cutting costs, cutting defense spending, and getting us out of wartime efforts. 

They are spending a lot of money to build the servicing business, primarily on hiring new people it seems like.