Chat with the locals at the hardware store and find out what the jobs are in the area, if the population has grown much, what the mayor has been up to, etc.

is to replace the faucets with anything that has a Watersense label- those generally save about 30% over a conventional faucet- or use aerators, which for about 3$ each at the hardware store can accomplish the same thing.

Absolutely new windows, light fixtures, appliances, flooring, hardware, cabinets, literally every inch needs addressing. 

We replaced the roof, all flooring, bathroom vanities, fixtures, trim, painted kitchen cabinets and moved them around, hardware, toilets, half the siding, tons of yard work and cutting out weeds the size of trees, new paint inside and out, built a wood plank wall and made a faux beam in the master bathroom out of a poorly designed wall that was hanging down.

Two years warranty plus whatever long term warranty keeps the repair $$ in the wallet.

On the conventional side they require 25% down payment and that would hurt my wallet.

I spent $16,444 renovating this 3-bedroom apartment at one of my properties.Here's the breakdown:- Kitchen faucet: $76- Thermostat: $30- Bathroom hardware: $34- Toilet: $94- SS stove: $250- SS microwave: $150- SS fridge: $781- SS dishwasher: $349- 6 MIL LVP flooring: $2,840- 4 black matte LED ceiling fans: $204- Bathroom faucet: $77- Bathroom vanity: $189- Bathroom mirror: $60- Lighting fixtures: $150- White shaker cabinets: $2,142- Black matte cabinet handles: $36- Blinds: $88- Black matte hinges: $51- Black matte door knobs: $108- Blanco single bowl sink: $100- Blanco sink rack: $25- Quartz countertop & install: $1,100- Smart lock: $40- Paint & materials: $565- Random materials/parts: $259- Labor: $6,646Renovation time: 30 daysPrevious rent: $575Signed leased: $1,610Long term hold strategy.I'm choosing to renovate every unit to a premium level finish with high quality materials.

.$7,500 all in on 1x1 units, which includes new cabinets, appliances, granite, fixtures, hardware, flooring, and paint.

I wouldn't mind keeping the second bathroom original and updating the hardware or faucet, but bathroom needs to be relocated to a more functional spot.  

I've reached a point in my life where I know what I want out of a home - the flooring, the appliances, countertops, fixtures and hardware, and so on.