Also, spend some time reading about search engine optimization (SEO) so more people will find your entries.NetworkingIt’s all about who you know.

In approval process and in abour $16k to engineers for plans, permits etc.

I have an engineering background so making things "pretty" and understanding what attracts the eye is not my forte. 

Your job as an investor is to reverse engineer the opportunity in order to intelligently evaluate risk/reward.As a newbie investor, are you able to do this?

You'll need an architect, structural engineer, MEP engineer, and to be able to get the project approved by your city.

I would reverse engineer this and figure out what your time is worth. 

Currently they have been moved and set on engineered foundations--so I can get TWIA windstorm (important in my area).

I have a background in engineering and survey and my wife has a background in architecture design.

While I don't manage any properties I do manage a large amount of business as an engineer and my general rule of thumb with price increases is to go in and be as transparent as I can be, give legitimate reasons for the change and what justifies a fair but necessary price increase.

Literally steam engine technology.