Or is there a more efficient way?

I value ROE in stock investing as a way to see the efficiency of management.

@Terrell Garren Not surprised the media is over-dramatizing and demonizing efficiencies we provide our tenants. 

It was one of the most simple and yet persuasive arguments I've heard in my ten years of following the emergence of clean energy technology, energy efficiency, and the fight for environmental issues while balancing regulation.

I am looking to scale up in 2020 and want to be able to evaluate the deals that come across my desk efficiently.  

Property management companies have efficient, tried-and-true systems in place to effectively collect rent and maintain on-time payments.

Personally installed tankless water heater, water softener and high efficiency HVAC system.

Spent too much time and money on one project, could have been dramatically more efficient.

You can find those by looking on the GIS as well.Least efficient is driving around and looking up vacant parcels but it does work.

As far as best practices, I think the easiest and most efficient first step is to just start shopping around the different providers and properties and the more of them you see, the more you'll be able to start picking out who jumps out at you as far as the better companies and opportunities.