However, it is need of some modernization(kitchen is 30 years old, plumbing and electric need updated, paint, etc). 

I keep a tablet with me at all times and can login to my laptop and hot spot my phone so I have WiFi.

There are opportunities to add value in rehab properties in areas where move in ready, modern style properties are hard to come by, catch up on deferred maintenance, or chip in with a few investors to do larger deals, or diversify into other markets, or asset classes. 

Plus or minus money for modern upgrades or poor condition.

I perused through gosection8.com and found a lot of nice, updated and modern properties available for section 8 housing.

If you can offer nice, clean, fresh and modern you will always be fully rented.On another note: I totally get it.

Even on vacation, he would take his laptop. 

Now if you are value adding actively, adding rooms, modernizing and flipping, condo conversions, redev etc...that is another ball game and again hard to compare to stocks. 

@Trayvis Kendrick Just staying in touch with what's modern.

I would also add removing old,broken,warn out,or enormous furniture that is clearly unattractive and makes the living room and bedrooms appear smaller and less comfortable than they really are.The house should be staged with modern and appropriate furniture to show buyers what they're new furniture will look like in their new home.Excess clothing that is not normally worn should removed from overstuffed closets and dressers and donated to charity,thrown away,or boxed up and stored off site from the home.If your toilets are old or have unremovable stains that look terrible,replace the entire toilet.Bathtubs should be reglazed to look shiny and new again.