Since it is a buy and hold - splurge for the more durable thicker product.

The guest house needs new flooring, entire kitchen, and a fresh coat of paint.

I was able to negotiate a $11,500 price reduction, $3500 seller concession, new sump pumps and french drains, and a new coat of paint for vacant side of duplex.

After looking at Home Depot and Lowes, I’m trying to decide if the thicker vinyl planks are worth the extra $1ish per sq ft.Here’s what I’m looking at:1) Allure Traffic Master. $1.69/ sq ft. 3.8mm thickness.2) Lifeproof. $2.99/sq ft. 6.5 mm thickness.

For reasons unknown to me, they are wanting to apply a new "stain coat" on top of laminate.

You can mitigate sound between floors by removing sheetrock, installing insulation, applying metal strips and thicker sheet rock, but thats a costly upgrade.

Most wiring of this era looks similar to modern wiring, but the wire sheathing is normally thicker, there is only 2 wires inside, and no ground wire.

In all probability there are several coats of latex painting over and sealed what was there before 1978.

CapEx will probably be more as you go along....I have nightmares about scraping and painting those 100 year old what I call shiplap homes, but it's not really shiplap....just 10 coats of paint with wood frame windows that have long been painted shut.This is where cap rates dont work well.  

Don't let anyone sugar coat it - until you get a Green Card you will have zero rights and it will be tough to obtain one unless you get a good atty and come with deep pockets.