We ended up scoring a property for $97,000 rented back to the owner for 3 months at $1,300 then did some minor renovations and had the original floors from 1890 refinished, turned out amazing and is now rented to a great military couple at $1,700 a month. 

Paint for sure, don't use strong colors just some off white for walls and white for molding and doors.Not sure how big is the apartment, refinish wood floors id you have or install engineered wood or bamboo flooring, there are some good looking cheap options (check build direct)But bathrooms and kitchens make the big difference, if you are doing the renovation yourself, check with IKEA kitchens, you can get some nice cabinets what will give a fresh look for not much money.. also you could just replace the wall cabinets if the base ones are decent and could be refurbuished The counters are tricky because big money require quartzite counter tops that are pretty expensive, but there are some OK options. 

(I assume $850/month for each unit, total $1700 in rent per month)The upper unit requires some TLC (either refinish the wood floor or just put a new laminated wood on top).

I'm looking to refinish an older countertop in a short term rental property.

As an Interior Designer, I got a little carried away :-) Refinished kitchen cabinets and replaced laminate counter tops with a high quality, seamless granite installation.

Even if there are noticeable, persistent water problems, the grading around the house can be adjusted, and once it stays dry, I would just go in and refinish it - I just need to know if I need to account for that in any offer I may make or not.Thanks!

@Scott England The property itself will be residential (1-4 units) and will be rent ready or very minimal updates (paint, refinish cabinets if needed, etc.)

Planning to do the major renovations (kitchen/1 of the full bathrooms/ refinishing floors, etc) prior to moving in, and the rest of the “smaller” stuff while we live there.

It's a complete kitchen gut job, 2 bathrooms, converting a half bath into a full, paint/clean and refinish all hardwoods. 

I couldn't even get an occupancy permit without my hardwood floors being refinished or without having my bath tub reglazed.