He purchased a property in a D class neighborhood and put in A- class upgrades like granite countertops and stainless steel appliance.

.✅ Replaced cast iron plumbing to PEX ✅ Paint & LVP flooring✅ Brand new kitchen with granite countertops, shaker cabinets, backsplash, and stainless appliances✅ Brought the laundry from an exterior mechanical closet to inside the home✅ Full exterior refresh for curb appeal✅ Added a Tesla Wall Connector in the carport for at-home charging ⚡️ (ok, this one is just for me but is pretty cool) What was the outcome?

Counter tops in the kitchen are typically laminate though we recently found a source for counter tops made of recycled glass and wood/paper which we are testing in a unit {with our student units we have begun incorporating more sustainable finish materials and have found it to be well received}.Finishes aside, all of our student properties come with complementary Internet (Fibre-Op) and non coin-op laundry.

Do they have the same quality of counter-tops, kitchen appliances, flooring, bathrooms?

Even in a kitchen with older cabinet, a stock laminate countertop from Lowes, and a tile floor, choosing a mid-tone color common in all features can pull various textures and finishes together for a more cohesive look.

Paint: Offer an accent wall of their choice for an extra $20 a month Upgrade Appliances Repair Cabinets - Re Face them Repair or Replace Countertops - Texture Overspray Replace Tile or Linoleum Clean or Replace Carpet Refining Hardwood FloorsReplace Faucets - Don’t go cheap, causes problems.Replace Light Fixtures - Ceiling Fans are a nice touch Replace Mirrors - Bigger the better.

I resurface cabinets and countertops.  

It depends on your local fashions, of course, but you don't see too many wooden counter tops these days. 

Yes, my PM is charging me the same price but it doesn't including flooring, garage door, kitchen countertop.

When you guys do buy a house and she starts to see how much the granite countertops cost vs. the laminate (or whatever the amenity is) she might realize what's reasonable.