I'm debating whether to go stainless steel appliances with laminate counters, or get the granite counters and do white appliances (white would go better with color scheme of paint job than black)The property is a two ...

Apples with apples, Orange's with Oranges.  

Make sure the equipment qouted is all the same size, so you are comparing apples to apples. 

They are about as similar of a experience as comparing a apple with a aardvark. 

@Nicholas PatrickIf you are passionate about starting an innovative tech company and know that you are going to build the next Apple, Facebook, Microsoft.... my answer would be "Perhaps you should drop out", however if you are dropping out to become a full time investor... my answer would be "Absolutely Not?"

We have a strong base with the state capital and University of Texas not going anywhere and Dell, Samsung, Apple, IBM, and many more high tech companies continue to expand here.  

They are apples and oranges.

The Android apps really make local nationwide.Also, does anyone know how to get the interviews on this site into my iPod?

I am in the Berkeley this weekend... what you need to realize is that NOTHING that you would think is standard in Livermore ( IE SF BAY AREA) will be standard out in the mid west.. at least as it relates to 90% of what these folks talk about in the way of cash flow rentals.. its apples and oranges.. your in a triple A market not even A.. and when you read on BP about no appliances etc. those are C D some think B  but its not a California B most of the homes and the RENTERS would  be a CA F plane and simple.. no way for you to rationalize what you would have in Livermore and what is standard in the mid west...

Here in Pittsburgh new investments by Google, Apple, Facebook and Autodesk is a true testament to the growing infrastructure here.