And I don't think you can just broad brush "South Chicago" its a huge area and not all of it has 90% unemployment etc. 

They must be thoughtful to make sure the door knob and hinges match in color (brass, bronze, brushed, etc.,) usually in coordination with the bathroom fixture finishes and other hardware in the house....and pay for the supervision and overhead that has to be built into the price somewhere. 

But I vowed never to use that space as it is how you end up with rubber ducks, hair dryer, tooth brushes, eye glasses, books etc...dropped into the toilet.I could change out the pedestal to a cabinet but I want to do that as part of a makeover when is vacant, not now.Any creative ideas?

Also, exterior door knobs are slowly being changed from bright brass to brushed nickel..because they weather better.We only put stainless steel appliances in one of our rental houses and our first tenant (who is still there) said she wishes they were white!

If you need to brush up on your Math skills, get a Tutor, go back to school, or get someone to help you. 

The simple idea of having to pay it off one's mortgage goes a long way mentally as well as financially for some, and that in and of itself brings security, which cannot be brushed off. 

I just let it brush off my shoulders, accomplish what my immediate goal is, and move away from that person in the future.

So modernizing countertops with granite, painting or replacing cabinets and putting on brushed nickel hardware, stainless steel appliances, etc.Throughout the rest of the property, be sure that you are making it as appealing as possible to your target buyer and not yourself.

@Jack Hasselbring You need to brush up on your local landlord and tenant laws.

Reminds me of the oilskin dustercoats we wore back in Australia when we rode though thick brush & salt bush chasing down calves.