I'm looking for something that is attractive, durable (future rental property) and not going to break the budget.

First step I'd take is to figure out if he has a reasonable price expectation, and what an attractive price would be for the property. 

My prices published on my website. https://www.virginiabeachpropertymanagementinc.net/pricingThe reason it is hard to convince a PM to offer a discount for volume, is that most volume owners own low income housing, which is significantly more work to manage than a property owned by an accidental landlord that tends to be in a much nicer neighborhood, with a house in much better condition, which attracts a much stronger tenant.

Still learning about this area... how to attract good tenants... it's been a learning experience :)

@tarquinn curry, You don't mention what your methods/sources are now, but especially due to A) (nearly) topped out market, and B) likely loss of potential buyers due to the approved law to cap rental rates, wholesalers will need to find/negotiate even deeper discounts (likely a fix-n-flip) to make it more attractive to buyers.It will take more time and money to buy lists and find off-market deals, and more time and money marketing the property to buyers. 

For retirement, many people want some residual income which may make it attractive to get monthly income for several years in the form of loan payment. 

You're cheating yourself if you ask for the lowest in the market and you're more likely to attract desperate investors/sponsors if you ask for the highest.  

Put a deal together that would be attractive to someone to do all the construction.  

At this point we should be able to attract quality working-class tenants who will really value being in this neighborhood.

That may be different for Philly, but that's been my experience around Memphis, Huntsville, and DFW.What can make or break your investment is the quality of tenant(s) you attract and put in the property.