- Are there other factors, like curb appeal, floor plan, schools, do you care about rental rates, price range, etc?

This 4k improvement will greatly increase the curb appeal.

I skipped the graveyard just for curb appeal, they don't make too much noise ;)

If you can not put a young mother and her new born on the curb in the dead of winter you should not be in this business.

The house has little to no curb appeal, the lawn's not mowed and mostly weeds, the bottom 3 feet or so of the brick is quite dirty (could be an indication of bad gutter/water run off problems).

Definetly interview the contractors ((yes more then 1)  and ask them all the same questions, if one is saying something different, kick him to curb.

Interior updates and curb appeal.

Yet, the road to real-estate riches isn’t all about curb appeal and “sold” signs.

Tell them they are responsible for taking the bins to the curb every week. 

Regardless, below is a common re-positioning plan:Rehab the exterior, landscaping, and amenities first, which adds value to the existing residents (and curb appeal to the new ones)Rehab the vacant unitNotify another resident and provide them with the option to (1) stay in their un-renovated unit at the new rent (2) move into the renovated unit (3) move out.Repeat (with as many or as few units as you like)Assume (and be prepared) for some residents to provide notice on their own to move out (as word gets out)Provide 60 day notice, be respectful, and just run your business.