Often next (or simultaneously) usually, but not always, some property improvements are in order.

I am also taking this time to improve the value and increase equity in my own house.

Bringing something to the table will massively improve your chances at the eventual mentor relationship you seek.

A little about me: As my profile states, I am a live audio engineer, which means that I am traveling for work nearly 9 months out of the year.

There are some good incentives for investing, you just have to look into what fits within your risk profile.

What other benefits result from the improvement. 

Some contradiction in thinking here too, you need to make improvements to bring the house you're looking at up to the standards of comps being similar.

Commercial tenants are different as they can account for leasehold improvements, expense and depreciate the items, but not a resident, residents cannot account for maintenance on taxes and the owner has that responsibility.Maintenance of a residence is therefore an owner's responsibility in every state of this country! 

The engineering company recommended "subsurface soils be improved to minimize further subsidence damage.

With uncertainty right now in the market, I don't see the lending landscape improving in the near future.