Investors looking to buy distressed property look for major issues (roofing, foundation, windows, HVAC, sub-flooring) and weight the cost of repair to the end goal (ARV) of the deal.

My partner is a GC and she's worth her weight in gold just because of the relationships she has with other inspectors in the city.  

The people that want hope to be on a faster career track will still want to come to an office and be able to network in person with "the right people".....and those who work remotely may not necessarily want to be a VP, but will be happy to be a department head or worker bee...........which will in turn give them more time to spend more time with family and/or creating their own business or doing a side hustle.  

Also both of the rentals are under a year old, so I haven't shown income on taxes yet.So my question is this: Is there a way to keep growing this faster than just saving to buy a property cash?

You want to bring something valuable to the table that will make them see you as an asset rather than dead weight.

Costs more than conventional, but faster close, more flexibility and usually higher leverage.

Defining your target audience and then determining where they spent the most time, will help you find them faster.

All I'm interested in doing is locking in a steady profit for 30 years, instead of owning an older rental house in a crappy neighborhood that most likely won't appreciate faster than inflation, and maintaining it for 30 years through various tenants, etc.

Let me illustrate - you can borrow 30 year money for under 3.5% right now or you can invest that equity and earn a multiple of that.Debt is a tool like a chain saw - yes, it can be dangerous, but if you know what you are doing and don't become careless it is much faster getting the job done.

i don't think i necessarily need the sq footage but i thought it would be that something "extra" above the next house to get this one sold faster.