They are also members of NARPM which means they pay to be around other great PMs nationwide and gain/share knowledge to help improve our industry.

Lastly, another way is to look at the areas that have already had improvements made to them.

If not, you should focus on developing some expertises that will be of use to real estate investors and improving them.  

I have made previous improvements while living there over the years totalling $21,000 in CapEx and repairs since 2013.I have two options I see and I am trying to figure out which would give me the best start on building my property investment business.

Looks like you are set up to increase cash flow and with just time and slight improvements over time.  

@David Sisson When I’m presented with a somewhat frivolous request for an improved article when the existing article is properly functional, I either decline or I say that I can bring in a new one, but doing so would require a rise in the rent.

You'll also want to know the available operating reserves for capital improvements or maintenance of the HOA and community rules and regulations before closing the deal.

Rehab estimates though you need to have a knowledge person go through the property and determine what needs to be done and what you might want to do to improve the property's value

I always look for ways to improve a house when I walk in.

We are living in it temporarily while we make improvements to it (it's in another country where home improvements and repairs can take a really long time), we moved in at the very end of 2019, and plan to vacate to rent it out again within a few months.So since we are currently living here, would the vacant period preceding our occupation also count as personal use ?