The other units that I have seen in the area were similar in size, age and amenities…they were just overall more aesthetically pleasing, slightly more updated and cleaner.These units are 2/1 but still on the smaller side and super dated.

I understand and have high value on flow, texture, space, color, end user/consumer, and general aesthetic.

You will still gain appreciation in Streamwood and if you price the rental amount of the home within what the area can sustain and spend a few extra bucks to make the home aesthetically appealing and have the most up to date fixtures and finishes, you will rent with better cash flow than Schaumburg and with the same market times.  

For aesthetics, I was thinking of placing a curtain around the heater.

This is absolutely NOT an endorsement or solicitation of this product, but I have been pretty impressed with Rustoleum products to date, and how they can "transform" certain aesthetic aspects of my rentals.https://www.rustoleum.com/en/product-catalog/consumer-brands/specialty/stainless-steel

Don't worry about the age of the house or if it's aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

The problem is the hardwoods look aesthetically bad, but the good news is the floors have never been refinished, and had been covered with carpet most of their lives so their potential for restoration down the road, for sale, is pretty good.This will be a low end rental so I really don’t want to sand and refinish the floor for renters with pets then have the same issues when they move out. 

I have looked at KCK, KCMO, Spring Hill and OP near where we live and they are obviously all very different.in an ideal world we would buy a house that is on the low end of cost and needs some work, primarily aesthetics, that we can handle.

Also, I imagine the conversion can be relatively cheap because part of the appeal is retaining the industrial aesthetic (e.g., exposed brick, exposed ducts, concrete floors).In terms of condo conversion, non-residential properties are optimal, because if you take a rental unit off the market in Oakland, you have to replace it.

. -- I now owe 10K :(Update on the 2 auto loans: I still have them :(Property #6 -- I bought a 30K single family 3bd 2bth house I am currently renovating with about 3K (Minor aesthetic repairs).