We decided to outsource major tasks such as septic installation, plumbing, heating, and carpentry, while handling smaller projects ourselves—a decision that proved beneficial.

Minimal changes to effect common entrances, no major shifts in load bearing, easy plumbing changes for wherever the new kitchen would be... it's a lot of boxes to check. 

Look for properties with updated roofs, electrical, and plumbing.

The main issue is that to do the ADU you have to spend so much bringing other items up to code like electrical, plumbing, lighting (windows) and egress.

The only two ways to rectify this are (1) purchase the property far below market price or (2) significantly increase the property net income usually through some method of “repositioning”. 

In your thread, you are worried about short-term KPIs like monthly cash flow, yet you purchased the properties to follow the BRRRR method. 

This depends on if you are using the Cash or Accrual method of accounting for tax purposes.

Sure, I could look for a higher paying job, but I was wondering if anyone has any creative short-term methods to improve my ratio.

I am trying to get a hard money loan to start with the BRRR method.

It will be very difficult to cash flow in Austin using traditional LTR methods unless you put down a huge down payment.