Find out where these foreign investors hang out.

I’m looking for ideas on how to drive as much revenue through each of these properties and the empty land seems to be the lowest hanging fruit.

Every real estate agent(about 6) I've spoken to in the Ft Worth area seems to be willing to help, even claiming to have the best contractors when I get on the phone but as soon as I hang up.

Note that if you have a lot of trees hanging above the house, a repair to a metal roof will be much more expensive than a repair to a shingled roof.

Make yourself a date to go hang out at a Home Depot or similar store and check local pricing for yourself.  

There will just be more low hanging fruit in the downswings.

You should avoid hanging out with them or being their friend at all costs .

Some people are okay with hanging on to a property that is negative cash flow and banking on appreciation, while others are total opposite of it.

Also, you will need to hang your real estate license with a broker in that state as realtors cannot operate independently. 

The majority of small landlord and small business owners I know that do have an LLC, co-mingle their LLC and personal accounts (credit cards, utilities, etc.) so much that a judge would not hesitate to allow the veil of an LLC be pierced.I have also witnessed evictions halted because the tenant pointed out to the court that landlord held the unit in an LLC, necessitating the hiring of a lawyer.I personally would not feel it is necessary for a small portfolio.