This past week we noticed the livingroom floor need some love so we decided to just redo all the hardwood.

In our area often it is brand new kitchen, hardwood flooring, and newer bath. 

If you do flooring, go with laminate/tiles/hardwood instead of carpet.

$90 - $120 for the cheaper contractors$110-$170 for the quality ones$200-$300 for the prestigious ones (usually includes detailed trim work, fancy tile and hardwoods, etc...)

If I get the house for 55k I am essentially paying 30k for the loan (about 1 month) and the rehab:1) siding2) roof3) 11 double-hung windows, 4 glassblock windows4) clean yard5) repair fence6) replace attic windows with vents7) replace garage door8 ) install lattice around porch9) troubleshoot plumbing/electric, make all minor repairs10) LR-patch/paint, new carpet11) DR-patch/paint, restore hardwood floor12) Kit-drywall ceiling, replace countertop and backsplash, install vinyl floor, install new door to basement13) Hall-install new thermostat, patch/paint walls, new closet door14) Bath-???

Hardwood floors are underneath.

If your looking for something low maintnence and easy to clean (unlike carpet) I'd go with engineered hardwood.

I've noticed that on sites such as realtor.com, many of rental listings are of relatively furbished units  (hard wood flooring, tiled kitchen).

Each apartment features approx 900 sq ft, 5 spacious rooms, 1 bedroom, 1 full bath, HIGH CEILINGS, HARDWOOD floors, stained glass, lots of STORAGE, walk-in closet, BIG WINDOWS for great natural light, sunporch & extra space.

It is what I would use any time I am not using real hardwood or ceramic tiles.