This is assuming the way you notified the tenants of the new rent was considered legal notice in your market. 

If property is done right even in todays market you can hit 1% rule and attract very desirable college students.

Find a market you really believe in.

With all of that in mind, I think it would really be dependent on where you see that specific market going.

What are the amenities that people will crave in your market? 

Since they keep the loans in-house instead of selling them on the secondary market, they can tailor loan terms to meet your unique circumstances as an overseas borrower.If you have strong assets or savings, consider looking into asset-based loans or no-doc loans.

Replacing a bathtub with a shower can make narrow bathrooms feel larger and more modern.That said, consider keeping at least one bathtub in the building for market appeal, as families with small children or certain renters may prefer it.

We rent to plenty of S8 applicants; I've always believed the standard of care they exude is as high if not higher than "market" applicants because they'll get kicked out of the program if they don't.

But from my limited time in the game, I’ve found that my complete lemons are cash cows a few years later as market rent comes up well and my cap ex fixes a few years ago have paid off.

Maybe not as flips since the markets are different, but will lenders take any pf that experience into consideration?