The Floors were never Trimmed, the Cabinet Hardware and the sides to the counters were never put on, and the paneling and Trim over the Slider door was never put on.

Renovations included new granite in kitchen and bathrooms, new commercial stainless kitchen sink, new vessel sinks in bathroom, new tiled shower, new vanity mirrors and fixtures, new  LED lighting and 4 ceiling fans throughout, new vinyl plank floors with new carpet in bedrooms, new interior and exterior pain, stained deck, new fence on 3 sides, chimney repair, new cabinet hardware and new door hardware throughout, new plumbing fixtures, added channel/french drain at end of driveway for water pooling, added drainage near front of house to divert rainwater, added landscaping beds, river rocks and pavers in backyard in shaded area where grass will not grow, replaced IG thermal glass window.

Renovations included new granite in kitchen and bathrooms, new commercial stainless kitchen sink, new vessel sinks in bathroom, new tiled shower, new vanity mirrors and fixtures, new LED lighting and 4 ceiling fans throughout, new vinyl plank floors with new carpet in bedrooms, new interior and exterior pain, stained deck, new fence on 3 sides, chimney repair, new cabinet hardware and new door hardware throughout, new plumbing fixtures, added channel/french drain at end of driveway for water pooling, added drainage near front of house to divert rainwater, added landscaping beds, river rocks and pavers in backyard in shaded area where grass will not grow, replaced IG thermal glass window.

When you say, "bring them up to date and make them very desirable," this sounds like more than a cosmetic facelift (which usually includes carpet & other floor coverings, paint, hardware, light & plumbing fixtures, electrical outlets/switches and maybe new appliances)."

Any relationships I had in those states were solely based on tapping into my wallet. 

@Aaron Bihl i can only assist in my abilities to do construction projects from paint to hardware to flooring.

$1400 installed with new tracks spring and hardware.  

@Jeff Zimmerman, thank you :) really want to pull the trigger on my first deal already...I took a peak at some listings in Fresno and the area really looks a lot more friendly for my wallet!

In short, as counter-intuitive as it may seem, just do all the superficial stuff that'll impress these bozos: paint, countertops, appliances, fixtures, hardware, staging, fencing, landscaping, etc. 

Rental properties do generate cash, but they can also eat a hole in your wallet, especially when you have to replace a boiler or water heater or change locks or replace windows or fix a leaky bathroom.