They spent more than $14,000 per apartment to outfit them with rugs, throw pillows, art and chandeliers.

Can any professionals out there recommend a solid laptop for excel, word, and RE research type of work?

Things went smoothly for the most part and I was supposed to have inherited what the seller originally described as excellent tenants.

Excellent point! 

Due to Covid-19 there are a lot more opportunities available in the market.I've read a lot of business books and some of the top on my list are "Think and Grow Rich", "Rich Dad, Poor Dad", "The Intelligent Investor", "The Art of War", "Mastery", and "How to Win Friends and Influence People" (PS. there are many more, but too many to list).

Zach mentioned the BiggerPockets blogs, posts, and podcasts, all of which are excellent resources (especially the podcasts). 

For the Monthly payment cell, the Excel calculation is =PMT(B2/1200,B3,B1).   

Both are excellent, but most importantly is to just network with the participants.  

If you aim to keep your purchase price + renovation cost below 80% of the after rehabbed value, its an excellent way to gain equity.Since my property was also a duplex, I was able to live close to mortgage free since my tenant paid 90% of the mortgage and taxes each month.

I owned a condo in this same area and was experiencing excellent returns.