I focus on tenants in my plaza that have to operate in person - salon, photographer, Subway, Post Office, etc.

Purchase price: $270,000 Cash invested: $1 Former residence - turned rental798 SF, 2/1, 1953 build just outside the DC Beltway and near a metro (train/subway) station.Laminate hardwood-style floors, granite countertops, stainless appliances.Chair rails and crown moulding in living room.

There are some finishes that look great almost universally (white 3x6 subway tile) and are very inexpensive.  

-I found the best way to filter out problem guests was to be very up-front in my listing about the downsides of my apartment (distance from the subway, age of the building, etc.) so that people knew right away whether it was for them or not.

Literally right beside the subway.

Sometimes companies like Subway for instance will corporately back and put franchisee operator in place.

Stay close to subway/transportation, like Westchester Square or even Sounview down by the ferry (Clason Point).

I think modern light fixtures, new switches and outlets, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, clean and newer bathroom fixtures are all worth their weight in gold. 

I've personally did a flat gray with a dark stained vinyl wide plank floor and a conventional subway tile backsplash.

I will often paint the cabinets white, the floors a neutral color, and the bathroom subway tile.