Cabinet below sink was completely rotted out and molded. 

Someone in foreclosure rather destroy the cabinets, pour concrete down the drain, rather destroy their OWN loved house than sell to you AT MARKET VALUE, let alone at a discount.Again, the standard average out there is that you need to send 3000 mailers, calls or texts to get 2 contracts signed IF LUCKY.

I had put in the MDF cabinets because the wife liked the look and that was prior to any decision to turn it into a rental.

Something as little as an accent wall or color of handles on kitchen cabinets can really make a difference 

For good measure they usually spray all the door and cabinet hardware too.

Charles cabinets and kept the floor plan largely intact.

. - if you're renting by the room vs renting the whole unit to a group of friends, have the following written into the leases: designated cabinets, designated fridge space, designated laundry days, overnight guest rule (and what's considered 'overnight'), + large gatherings rule.- remember that you'll be paying all utilities if you rent by the room, so factor that into what you charge for rent, and consider using remotely-controlled nest thermostats so they can't jack the heat up beyond what any normal person would pay for (if you're in a cold area). the same could be said for a home with central air in a warmer climate.- consider baking into the rest biweekly housekeeping, so that you know that the property is being kept up with (prevents pest issues), and you won't have to deal with any quarrels over who's cleaning the common areas more than who.- always have the parents co-sign the lease.- make a manual for them. what would your own kids be calling you about when they first move out on their own?

Does anyone have any recs for buying kitchen cabinets?

and kitchen cabinets / countertops and just everything would be off a bit.Plus, installing over top is NOT "replacing" in my opinion.  

I know a lot of people that do concrete work, flooring, sheetrock, plumbing/electrical, cabinets/tops, paint, etc. but I still need to get the units built.