When it comes to prepping a home for renters, versus a "forever-home", do you consider the quality of material when making cosmetic updates?

Advertising.

It was easy to create an advertisement with Cozy, and it listed on Realtor.com, as well as a few others.

You might be able to finagle some of the expenses to be deductible, such as paint materials and etc. 

It's time to crack open some reading material, I suggest getting some BiggerPockets books on flipping and rental properties, and start watching some videos on home inspectors and general contractors, they will help. 3 bed 3 bath is good because those are the houses that rehabbers are looking for. 

I keep all presentation material on a tablet in case I need to do a presentation, write a contract, listing agreement on the fly. 

Everything not just materials and construction management.

@Mary JayMary...I think you're focusing way too much on removing the rental activity from your 1040.If you're okay paying a higher effective tax rate on the rentals and materially higher professional fees each year, this is certainly achievable. 

BOTH houses were flipped by the same corner cutting investment crew using the same materials about 3 years ago.The house on my adjacent LEFT (in between mine and the neighbor 2 doors down) is a recently vacant property that just sold and is about to get a full gut rehab.

Look for distressed or vacant properties and keep a list of them to do more research on later.2) Advertise (if allowed), signs saying you buy for cash.