BUT, they also need to do a good job if they want to stay in business. 

and nothing pencils as a rental that isn't in need of serious rehab, which I cannot afford significant repairs and cosmetic improvements right now.

That being said, there is always opportunity to improve the model in other areas such as occupancy, expenses etc. 

You're asking for a full-time job if you don't source these task items to other vendors. 

Educate us on what underwriters look for to improve our COMPS and make process smooth and timely.

Am using cash still to try to win the deals on the market- but will want to eventually refinance after improvements are made and value is added. 

It is not really investing, just doing a job. 

If you don't have time to network for investors/lenders due to the nature of your job, and friends and family are not an option, you are left with saving up and buying properties with your own money, which is totally fine and what most of us do.

Structural (brick) changes/repairs could increase these costs.Knob and Tube Rewiring: Rewiring a house to replace knob and tube wiring is indeed costly, particularly for a complete job.

Specifically, there's job growth (Intel, Honda, Amazon, Nationwide, etc) and the population is growing (unlike Cleveland or Cincy).