Initially I was all over the place and looking single family properties that needed light rehab, properties with mother in-law units, multi family, pretty much everything residential. 

It's helpful because you can never remember the number of windows, light fixtures, exterior doors, etc that need replaced.

Most people are :-Terrified of anything that is potentially risky with money - naturally cynical and negative toward new things - fearful of what they don’t understand Knowing this ..your best bet is to write your goals on a piece of paper and tell no one .

Flooring, paint, lighting, HVAC updates, plumbing updates, new kitchen cabinets and appliances.

Make sure all the interior light bulbs are LED.

By nature a property in a BRRRR deal usually needs a good amount of work. 

So naturally I immediately went on Amazon and bought a bunch of books on real estate investing so I could win, too.

You need experience more than anything right now.As you grow, the specificity will become more natural once you understand what area you can add value to.

We chose apartment syndication over retail because of recession-resistant nature of B and C class value-add type projects.  

I also buy vintage glass light covers/fixtures at Construction Junction or Habitat for Humanity Restore to put in my rentals as they add a lot of character and look much better than most of the modern ones sold at Lowe's/Home Depot.I would ask a selling agent about the cabinets to see what he/she thinks about staining them VS painting them.