I’ve also read that current migration patterns in the US show people moving to the South and West.Gathering all this information is great to help target different areas to invest, but it’s also maddening.

I've read interesting studies that point to our population migration patterns pointing to slightly greater persons moving to the area than from it. 

Other than doing the above once, if you continue you create a pattern. 

Staining it isn't going to get rid of that ugly pattern anyway.Second everything @Luke Carl says - make sure that your ROI is going to increase BEFORE you spend all that $ on granite etc.  

Some investors seem to be caught up in the idea of less competition but ultimately there are many properties on MLS that have very little competition, with very motivated sellers, putting potential buyers in an extremely leveraged situation - and essentially function exactly like an off-market deal.Like I said, there are definitely times when you can get off-market deals at a steep discount, but this is a larger pattern I've been noticing...what do you think? 

If you have a consistent pattern of this then is should continue to be consistent in the future.

@Tony Ferrero Home Depot has in stock preformed laminate countertops in a patterned white.

., LVP, marble counter tops, stainless steel appliances, etc.)

So do you really believe that tens of thousands of investors in, and looking to get in, the park space have just lost their marbles?

Though I am newer, this strategy is flawed in my eyes for several reasons:-If you are hiring out contractors to do the work (which is generally the case), the cost is no greater when installing an expensive granite countertop versus a cheaper marble material-The appraised ARV will be lower with lower-end finishes-Your time return on investment is lower, because you still have the same scope of work (generally) for a lower profit-Your exit strategy will be more difficult on lower-end finishes if you ever choose to sell in the futureThese are probably obvious to anyone who argues not to go with high end finishes on rentals, so I really don't see the counterargument.