I can look a photos to see that the kitchen cabinets need to be replaced, or the floor needs to be refinished, or I need to purchase a refrigerator, but trying to figure out if there's a pipe leaking inside a wall or the furnace is 40 years old or the beams are sagging in the basement is something you need to see in person, so how do you not waste your time when you're at the point where you're ready to buy seeing countless properties that need more work than it makes sense to do from a numbers standpoint?  

We removed all of this plumbing and replaced with PVC, installed 2 new hot water tanks, replaced all old gas lines, refinished original hardwoods, painted each unit, carpet, bathroom updates What was the outcome?

I'm in Cleveland area, my guy I've used for the past 12 years.....full refinish (sand to apply choice of stain + 3 coats) $3/sq ft., sand and three coats no stain, $2.50, dress with light sand and topcoat and buff $1.25. 

Since then, I have refinished the basement stairwell/case, laundry room, and I'm working on the front and back yard.

New paint throughout and re-finishing of floors.

Get new cabinet doors and hardware, refinish the cabinetsThese are just three things but what do you guys think in general?

LABOR PRICE INTERIOR Den/Apartment/Bathroom #1 $4,299.00 Living Room/Office $3,850.00 Kitchen $7,140.00 Bathroom # 2 $2,770.00 Upstairs Bedrooms $1,991.00 Flooring/Carpet $3,076.00 Cabinet Refinishing $800.00 Countertops $1,000.00 Hinges/Knobs/Etc Install $200.00 Appliances $1,450.00 Oil Tank Repair and Relocation $5,000.00 EXTERIOR Roofing $4,475.00 Bilco Door $500.00 Siding $9,350.00 Decks $750.00 Landscaping $500.00 Windows $3,000.00 Tree Removal $1,600.00 TOTAL: $51,751.00

We fully remodeling the house new kitchen, bathroom, added in unit laundry, refinished hardwoods and fresh coat of paint.

Updated kitchen and hall bath and refinished hardwoods.

A little rough, but after refinishing should look nice.