If you don't have cash available for improvements, you might not want to go the fixer-upper route right now.

I'm prepared to shift and convert it to a long-term rental if the economy does not show signs of improvement soon.

Minor landscaping improvements.

That being said, some lenders can point you in the right direction with regards to improving your credit while you search for your property.2.

A realtor could tell you how the house stacks up compared to others in that market at that price point - and what you could do to improve the marketability and price. 

Anyways I want to break down what I am doing for you guys to (nicely please) pick apart what I am doing and how I could improve and actually make money in this biz.So for marketing, what I do is post in facebook groups, I virtual wholesale, I market and have trustworthy JV partners in Louisville, KY, and Lincoln/Omaha, NE.

In fact, they spent close to $20k on improvements since signing the Lease Purchase agreement.

Is a $200 annual improvement in your returns enough to offset the $ Million(s)?

If there is, what improvements need to be done to be able to charge those market rents.

If local government can improve and make the city business friendly there could actually be appreciation.