I understand the basics from wholesaling, buy and flip, buy and hold, and etc.......The problem is I don't feel comfortable jumping in alone as I am a visual learning and would really benefit from having someone to help me throughout the process.

I am looking at ways to make an offer more appealing.  

Just be sure to look through the options, see what appeals to you, and then hit the gas.Ask questions, and then ask some more. 

If the sign is what makes the deal so appealing, then make sure that your deal is made contingent upon getting approval from the local planning depts.  

So maybe the #'s don't look as appealing, but their is certainly demand and with high occupancy rates, that can offset being less then 1% which seems to be the benchmark.

We do not yet have a tenant for the first property and are in the process of seeking out a property management company (several great possibilities already) as well as completing a few small task to make the property more appealing.

Appeal to general masses.  

Providing visual aids, photos of other properties could help in communiting your design ideas.Ideally you also want to discuss and define every little detail of the project for every area of the house/apartment, positioning of every light and plumbing fixture, placement and dimensions for areas that need backsplace tile, pocket door installs, reframing and expanding certain areas to increase spaces for showers, living rooms, closets, new shelving to be built, opening up ceilings, re-routing plumbing, repositioning toilets, etc.Then you hope that your ongoing communications will work well.

Sick of the rat race and that one is really appealing to me right now.

Unless you are trying to appeal to A class tenants in an A class neighborhood, you don't need to do a remodel.