Purchase price: $810,000 Cash invested: $200,000 Bought an SFR that needed a cosmetic rehab and had an unfinished basement.

I'm deliberating whether I should hire my neighbor (he just had leg surgery and walking with a cane) across the street to do construction because if the construction turns out bad, I strain the relationship with the neighbor across the street, and also whether I should hire my neighbor from another place who does the design because I kinda don't prefer he knows where I live (just because if the design turns out bad, I strain another relationship with him and exposes my address of where I live).

In this market, people are have to be willing to buy a fixer upper (maybe just cosmetic issues) to force appreciation.

One friend raised rents from $1,075 to $1,600 in two years without any cosmetic updates on a 3 bed 2.5 bath in Liberty.

Tenant not trusting this work as he is out of home when this work is performed as he has some minor surgery. 

The houses are on pretty rough cosmetic condition but the tenants have not shown an interest in any kind of renovations.

Did the property require any renovations or cosmetic fixes, if so what were they?

I used a faucet as an example because that is an item that normally breaks down first and often observe customers walking down the fixture aisle at HD or Lowes looking for the least expensive option, whereas purchasing inexpensive tile or other cosmetic items won't necessarily cause maintenance issues although I would argue will cost you revenue (more on this below). 

However, if you are doing cosmetic renovations (paint, cabinets, countertops, etc.), you do not need any forms—just keep track of your spending to share with your tax advisor at the end of the year.The best way I’ve found to keep track of expenses is through a credit/debit card that is dedicated ONLY to your business.

My best projects are usually taking a dated home and cleaning it up with interior cosmetic renovations.