One of my first (of many) concerns will be to not overdo improvements, being as I tend toward, but am not a full blown perfectionist.I'm sure I'll have more specific questions as I go, but for now I'm just schooling myself on the basics here at BP!

If they have a smart phone take a video and photograph of the status and the repair, just in case have a record of your attempt to improve conditions. 

Big improvements.

Just as an example on one of them...they way over improved the property for the price point, and they also did not factor in the fact that this property did not have a yard...and Frederick is a very dog friendly city...so not having that yard really brought down the value.

In my previous situation, we built bridges, small health clinics, and schools from ground up, currently we do tenant improvements, so still, even with my construction experience previously, there is still a transition/learning curve.

Inventory is so low I can guarantee that if I specify neighborhood and duplex everyone on here knows which property I'm talking about already anyways.

The considerations to an option granting a optionee (buyer) with the use of a location, amenities, perhaps the potential of changing zoning or making improvements where a property may later be sold at a higher price. 

Hey guys, I'm looking to invest some money into improving my rental property so that I can charge a higher rental rate.

(Goes to Long Term capital gains rate which I think is 15%) I think your tax now would be calculated by taking your net selling price less your payment price and adding any capital improvements (which I didn't see any of those).It should be taxed at the owners, sellers income rate. 

Lots of cash chasing a shrinking inventory here.