I just wanted to ask for some of your more effective and time efficient ideas and methods that you would use in order to stay knowledgeable about your local market. 

The more efficient way to build a buyers list in general is to get a good deal under contract.

You would have to do the math on the rental fee, but a decent high efficiency furnace for the average 1200 sq/ft home should only run about 3000-4000 dollars and they last approx 12-15 years.

I would really like some software to make my deal-finding proficient and efficient.

Immaculate condition, almost everything new, including kitchens and baths, all new replacement windows, hardwood floors professionally refinished with 4 coats of oil based polyurethane,all new wiring and electrical panels (all knob and tube eliminated), new plumbing and washer dryer hook ups in each apartment, new interior and exterior paint 2014/2015, newer cast iron boilers, 1st floor has additional natural gas fired high efficiency Rinnai direct vent wall furnace, State and local fire code compliant with all new 90 minute fire doors and modern whole house fire detection system.

I like to hear that I have a fighting chance.I will certainly be keeping your advice in mind as I adopt pre-built systems to help increase efficiency with the knowledge that there is no secret sauce.Thank you for your effort and insight!

That money being spent to replace the furnace that just went out, now becomes and investment into a higher efficiency furnace which will lower cost for the next renter.The cost to replace the old almond or white fridge now can be used to buy the stainless steel fridge that will maybe help raise rents.The cost of new carpet / updated flooring will also drive value up in your investment for future tenants or future owners.If you don't have the property, that money isn't being spent on a forced re-investment into your property.  

You got to know how efficient you are when you door knock in order to know what works and what doesn't.  

I'm not sure how to be the most efficient in this situation.

At the end of the day, we're lenders and wholesalers - we're not efficient if we're taking properties back to complete rehabs - so we do all that we reasonably can to ensure the rehabber's success and the successful return of the lender's capital.