This data was then evaluated with regards to manufacturing jobs as a percent of the total workforce, employment growth, income growth, and home affordability.

Make sure to get a professional evaluation of the actual building in hand before the conversion.

Does any have or recommend a good spreadsheet or software to evaluate new construction deals?

The natural progression of moving from single family to Apartment Complex financial freedom plan, using the dead equity and 1031 Exchanging up is a proven and verifiable path to financial freedom.  

So I've been making improvements on the home since around September of last year, it looks great, and it has been a ton of slow progress especially learning many things for the first time and doing them myself.

Looking forward to seeing how you progress!

You can have "soft contacts" with people where you can evaluate them and they can evaluate you, via text message. 

Evaluate your options, and determine which best fits your financial and personal pleasure goals and desires.

If not did both agents discuss and provide information to the lender for a second evaluation?

(Progress.)