Go to your local countertop or cabinet company and ask for remnants of marble/granite/Corian/etc.

In the past I would have never considered granite counter tops. however in our area after the crash, lots of houses that had been renovated for sale were no offered as rentals.

In you have the layout worked out and just need help with the cabinets, countertops, tiles, and other finishes, then an Interior designer is the way to go!

House was on the market 90+ days, had dropped in price three times ...with probably 30 realtor cards on the countertop when I first looked at it.

Now put In a quality set of cabinets, countertops, radiant heat etc.

While it is technically possible for transmission this way - maybe if you are licking saliva off of a kitchen counter top, but that's really about it. 

But I did all new appliances, granite countertops everywhere, stained cement flooring, new doors, electrical box, recessed lighting, big backyard shed, gutters, paver patio etc...you get the idea

I would be the person who decided if the market demanded a certain type of counter top, what type of flooring, if it was worthwhile to replace the roof for added value or not, if new siding is cost efficient, etc.

Now, I dont install new dishwashers or upgrade to granite countertops, but for what I call the The Coziness Factor, when I newly renovate a property I spend extra on - nice paint on the walls, tile/laminate, nice light fixtures (cheap), and new appliances.

The type of house he wants to buy is like this:~200kLocated in a good neighborhood, desirable part of the city.3 BR / 2 bath, solidly average middle-class home (no fancy counter tops, trim, etc.)Rents of ~1,400/mo + utilI, on the other hand, tend to prefer something more like this:~100-130kLocated in more blue-collar neighborhoods.