Secondly, you will almost always get more bang (read: bigger rent increase) when you upgrade amenities (say new cabinets or flooring) between tenants.That said, in my books there are exceptions for long-term tenants.  

Additionally, this entire transaction will be conducted by licensed attorneys to ensure the utmost legality and ethicality.In an effort to create further transparency with our clients, we also share any inspection reports and repair estimates with sellers, so that they can understand how we arrive at our purchase offer, and to give the sellers the advantage of acquiring reports and estimates that would normally cost them hundreds of dollars to get.

You'll spend a few hundred dollars, but you might get some answers that allow you to hone down your research.  

If you decide to put up blinds, you can spend a few hundred dollars on something like Hunter Douglas, only to have a tenant wreck them in a day.

I have heard hundreds of these same stories over the years and many times it does not end well but I hope this is the exception. 

There is some type of gray line here which I'm toying with but, basically, it means that it needs to have running water, electricity, cabinets, sinks, shower, toilet.

For the rehab, I like the idea of vinyl plank flooring, semi-gloss paint (because I've heard some people say it holds up better with tenants), new cabinets, counter-tops, appliances, popcorn ceiling removal,  light fixtures, new water heater, fans, new windows. and something to put on the concrete that kills bad odors.What would you do?

I cant add a picture with my tablet but think of the above picture and instead of flanking the fireplace with gray cabinets, mine is flanked with a golden orange wall and the mantel is pale gold.  

I would buy my own tile, flooring, cabinets.

I had to go to the neighbor state to get all my cabinets and doors!