This paywall takes advantage of a natural human psychological emotion called the Sunk Cost Fallacy. 

I upgraded the heating system to natural gas furnaces.

Also, how to tell the tenants/ask them to tidy up for the appraisal without spooking them that the house is being sold or something of that nature?

I found this on Google:New York law provides that “[n]o natural person shall ask or receive, directly or indirectly, compensation . . . for preparing deeds, mortgages, assignments, discharges, leases or any other instruments affecting real estate . . . unless he has been regularly admitted to practice, as an attorney or counselor, in the courts of record in the state” (N.Y.

By doing renovations, you'll be forcing appreciation, along with naturally occurring appreciation through market increases.

We're newcomers to real estate so we've been in the learning phase for the last few months, but hoping to narrow in on something soon.I'd love to get some of your guys' input given our criteria and where we're at as of today.I know at the end of the day it ultimately comes down to what our financial goals, risk tolerance, current and future plans, involvement, etc. look like but I'm totally just curious what any of you more seasoned investors think, given the below.Here's what we're thinking: - $200K total to invest (50/50 between the two of us) - Use this money for several down payments over next couple years (maybe incorporate some BRRRR down the line once we've become more comfortable) - First deal: a turnkey SFH (buy-and-hold) in a decent/higher cash-flow market ($150K-$220K home range; thinking Phoenix, Dallas, Midwest) - Thinking of utilizing a turnkey company (like Norada or RealWealth) for this first deal since they have the systems/contacts in place and we are brand new to thisThoughts?

Well, then there is the passive versus active nature of the investment as well.  

You can sign the purchase agreement together, or just one of you can sign, so long as the contract incorporates the right for you to assign it to yourself and another investor(s), or some LLC or other entity prior to closing, and without the requirement of the Seller consenting to such an assignment.

I have pretty much decided to do most work myself.May I ask, what is the nature of work needed?

Natural gas runs to our street and Unitil will run the line to the house free of charge.