Advice would be highly appreciated as we are so close to a deal we can taste it!

You get a taste of multifamily cashflow for a moderate investment.What markets are you looking into?

Summary: My current single family home in an HOA which I live in has left a bad taste in my mouth.

Don't let your personal tastes get involved.3) Do the kitchens and bathrooms right.

Building constructed in 1980Present loan value appx $77k on a 15 yr note with 3.375% interestP&I pmt is appx $602NOI 2014 was $11489NOI 2013 was $5142      (spent around $4k on updates/remodeling)Appx $27k by my calculations of capital improvements needed in the next 5-10 years to increase the value of the property, properly maintain it, and keep it functionally up to date in order to attract higher quality tenants (located in a b grade area) (I'd rather have more invested to have higher quality tenants - have my own reasons for this line of thinking - willing to sacrifice a bit of profit to have good people)- Redo Kitchens- replace doors and all base trim/casing (more for my taste and would help the place rent out even quicker)- 2 escape windows installed for basement bedrooms- Concrete work needed on patios and near front of the house -- need to be done in the next yearProperty based on comps in the immediate area and a tight supply of decent duplexes here is $175-210k or so.  

It may not be possible in your case but if you have a follow on rental, you might prequalify one and ask them what is important. not everyone has the same taste or opinion as you, so if you dont have a speccific person you will rent to - you will have a specific segment - and if you do the research you might find out what there top to haves are.

Too many risks and costs for my taste.

I always have a good taste, so I'm the interior designer and he will come up with a plan to make it happen.

From the few experiences I had, getting a Certificate of Occupancy took so much out of me with all the phone calls and arguments and incompetence that I just got a bad taste in my mouth.  

laminate has been popular for two decades brcause it is clean and tough, just look for laminate that passes for wood it looks so goodGlass is natural, beautiful, eay to clean and reflective...and will be used in different sizes, colors, shapes and paired with other materials for some time to comeGranite or any stone is classic...but as tastes change the preference for colors of granite will change...and yes it will take a backseat to other fresher ideas in countertopsWood ceramic tile will probably last like travertine porcelain tile because they imitate nature...but as tastes change the underlying hues change...goldenish tones giving way to grayish, I think "looks" will date a decor more than individual choices.