I like the landscape idea but it's not the aesthetics we're most worried about. 

I want to start investing in real estate, so I put an offer in on a 1/1 condo that I could afford (awesome location, good size, needs some aesthetic upgrades).

Now growth tends to be in areas that is aesthetically pleasing such as Colorado, or the coastlines, as well as areas where the weather is warm thanks to the invention of air conditioning. 

The main reason you backfill around a foundation is to grade water away from the structure and for aesthetic reasons, i.e. no one wants to look at an 8 foot tall block wall or a house with a moat around it.

It's easy to go overboard in a rental trying to create the same high level of aesthetics and quality that we usually strive for at work, that probably wont get us a return as a buy and hold investor. 

Here are some things to consider below.Kitchen pantriesSoft closing cabinets Dovetail joints - Adds a nicer finish to the cabinetry With a higher-end rental, you might consider a pot filler above the range The latest trend in cabinet colors and paints - you can use Pinterest for thisFloating Shelves - reduce cost and adds aesthetic to the feel (base shelves are more expensive than uppers)Functionality is key - Storage for plates, pots, and pans 12x24 tile flooring offers the best bang for the buck Splurge on the backsplash because it is very inexpensive to do adds appealDepending on the dimensions of the room, you may consider a smaller upper cabinetHope this was helpful BP family!

Aesthetic (you can't see both sides of the roof at once from anywhere on the ground)?  

But as any market, if the money is there and entry is low, people will jump in and increase supply and saturate the market and make it competitive and now it’s a race to the bottom.If you are in the commodity game, meaning most of your price is dictated by price per sq ft, either find and negotiate a better deal upfront or find cheaper labor force/material to do the project.Your alternative strategy would be get out of the commodity game and build your brand with quality service and design aesthetics.

The house was in pretty poor shape aesthetically when we got it as the previous owners did not seem to have any care for where they lived but I love this house already and my girlfriend and I are pouring a lot of time and love into this place to make into a beautiful home.

It's only natural to desire a comfortable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing living space.