We do some cosmetic improvements to bring homes to our standard, typically carpet and paint, upgrade lighting etc.

Are there certain things that you may be able to improve quickly and cheaply to assuage fears of some buyers?

See what they do right, and find areas you can improve upon then make the jump.

So, while Section 8 can be a great program, there are a few challenges for both tenants and landlords to consider.

If you SLOWLY add variables after you have solved the same problem a couple times it gets easier with less risk.I sadly had a very hard time with FOCUS and switched things up on nearly every project, creating new challenges.  

In the years that I've represented primarily BUYERS, I find that there has been challenges navigating transactions where the seller is a For-Sale-By-Owner (FSBO) AND inexperienced in handling a real estate transaction.

I am in the Virgin Islands, also challenging to find lenders.  

Larger properties spread your risk.Be Ready for Some Sweat Equity: Many first-time house hackers underestimate this part, but putting in a little elbow grease can drastically improve your returns.

Replacing countertops, though, is a capital improvement and usually has to be capitalized and depreciated over time.

I run two big groups on fb and we have been bombarded by big pocket end buyers so closing big commercial deals 10M+ is not the challenge here.