Are these 6 homes in locations where there are reasonable expectations you will benefit form significant appreciation in the immediate future?

An appraiser will use comps that are close to your location and in similar size and condition.

Leasing a Maytag laundry center from Wash.com would cost me $100/mo, but reviewers say they can take weeks to come out for repairs.A local place called Mission Laundry Equipment can lease me a Speed Queen laundry center for $110/mo, or sell it to me for $4,299 (actually $5,450 with all taxes and fees for delivery, installation, and setting up the credit card system).

Got to have a desirable location too.   

Otherwise, I would check with your local zoning/planning department to confirm that you can add tiny homes to the property and what inspections/septic systems need to be set up.

My focus is primarily on the Milwaukee and Madison area, as I am most familiar with it and it is relatively close to my current location. 

Depends completely on your target market, location  and demographics.

Repeat the process for Zillow for For Sale Properties, and find a real estate agent who lives local who can go look at your property.4.

tough without having a local contact. 

My house was closed on 11/30 and since then I asked the property manager to pick up the house key from my local realtor, and do an inspection on the house to make the house rent ready.