Buying a cheap, random property in the midwest just is not going to do anything for you.

LLCs are cheap in New Mexico ($50, plus registered agent fees)2.

In Iowa, it is quick and cheap. 

(on things like flooring, cabinets, remodels, siding etc) I want to hear thoughts on going as cheap as possible, making the house look "high end" (possibly attracting higher end renters and charging more) or somewhere in the middle?

All have a generally cheap barrier to entry and have potential for cash flow.

That's too cheap.

I also agree with the others that these owners sound like cheap-skate micro-managers.

Housing prices are cheap so everyone bought a house and turned it into an STR, and there’s way too many STR‘s.

Nothing here is cheap.

The leads that I get the rest of the month also try to negotiate to a price so cheap I would not consider it.