If you are upgrading the kitchen appliances and are not able to increase rent or make the home more desirable, then it would be best to save the time and energy to focus on the next project. 

Please click on the links, give them a read, and share your thoughts in the comments.First is a post that I feel will help not get overwhelmed with the amount of info that is here on BP:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52761-the-simple-guide-to-getting-started-on-bpThe second is a post that will help get you focused with your real estate investing goals:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52743-im-new-to-bp-any-advice-would-be-appriciatedThe last one is a post that will help you choose an “investor friendly” real estate agent.

I decided to focus on going full-time real estate agent by July 2018 (because I have a FT marketing business I need to transition out of.) 

This realtor focuses in Naperville. 

Although showing great potential the start up ended up not working and now I want my sole focus to be on putting together as many rental units as possible in the coming years.Bio, I'm from Minneapolis and have been in the trades for 20 years. 

There's hope and there's a blueprint to do exactly what you're talking about.If there is enough dissatisfaction, then you can harness it to make your community better.I recommend you go about it by focusing on bringing more order to your area. 

After that I will focus on expanding my reach and find a small apartment complex 8-24 units, although I know this will be capital intensive I plan to keep my savings rate around 60 or 70% of net income to make this happen. 

What type of properties are you focusing on?

But I was going into the deal without the focus on appreciation because I don't like to speculate too much on investments. 

I'm a wholesaler focusing on Columbia and Charleston and I have an attorney in Charleston but I needed one in Columbia and Rich's firm is very investor friendly.