In the meantime check out my BP blog articles on my experiences here for some high level info:   https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/10042/Here are my quick answers to your questions: 1.

My skill level is limited to upgrading an existing space with new paint, fixtures, flooring, and lighting; this includes exterior painting, roof shingle upgrades, and deck building. 

One of my laundries I just installed is on ground level, it was ridiculously easy to pick up a washer & dryer for <$150 and throw it in there.The fridge problem is definitely not dirty condenser coils.

I'm looking at different properties in the St Louis area I keep finding deals in areas that on the trulia crime map is in the level 2/3 of the shading. 

https://www.har.com/content/newsroom/Houston Real Estate Highlights in July: Single-family home sales rose 9.1 percent year-over-year, with 8,108 units sold;Days on Market (DOM) for single-family homes remained unchanged at 48 days;Total property sales increased 8.5 percent, with 9,559 units sold;Total dollar volume jumped 11.4 percent to nearly $2.8 billion;The single-family home median price rose 5.9 percent to $243,500, reaching a July high;The single-family home average price also achieved a July record, rising 2.4 percent to $305,910;Single-family homes months of inventory was at a 4.2-months supply, down fractionally from 4.3 months last July, but nonetheless at the highest level since August 2017;Townhome/condominium sales rose 6.1 percent, with the average price up 6.9 percent to $215,110 and the median price up 9.3 percent to $165,000;Leases of single-family homes fell 1.9 percent with the average rent up 5.6 percent to $1,916;Volume of townhome/condominium leases dropped 6.6 percent with the average rent up 7.7 percent to $1,666.

Nice investors of all levels that don’t pitch you anything.

So I know access and levelness of land is key. 

The math is important, but you also have to remember that most of it is grade-school level math.

(Cost to add ground level square footage $350+/ sq ft) cost to go up....even more. too rich for me at this time.

Should I put concrete around this area prevent water from seeping into the foundation and basement windows or pitching the ground level so water drains out faster towards a drain that goes out to street drain. 3.