Tans won't show dirt like white or even dark colors.I'd stay with the neighborhood color scheme as well and use trim colors to make a difference and curb appeal.

Everyone is going to have a different definition of finishing materials, but I'm generally referring to:- Appliances- Light Fixtures- Plumbing Fixtures- Flooring (Carpet, Tile, Wood)- Cabinets- CountertopsThe things I generally consider building materials, and ask my contractors to provide, include:- Lumber- Plywood- Siding- Roofing- Gutters- Paint- Rough electrical components- Rough plumbing components- HVAC components- Fasteners- Trim (Sometimes I'll provide this)- ConcreteI know some people categorize differently, but that's how I do it.

Other easy-to-install niceties are 1# kitchen range hood that vents to the outside (a lot of places just have microwaves the vent back into the room), #2 recessed lighting with dimmers instead of a single boob light, #3 replacing old beat-up trim boards with new trim boards.

Then, some guy will come along with a weed-eater and trim around the state sign (and mine).

Also the thing you will run into if you restore a property that has been deteriorating for a while is alot of the lead paint got into the dirt around the house and the trim on the window so that needs to be replaced too. 

There's no fat to trim.  

Not sure on contractors in your area, but I could get them installed really cheap in NC, like $ 30-40 bucks a window if it is a simple replacement (no extra framing or trim work needed).

By the way I found this property while riding my bike in my neighborhood and striking up a conversation with a guy who was trimming the very out of control trees in front of the property for the owner..

I skip thousands per month and I'm trying to trim costs a bit while still getting great data. 

We also trimmed several trees that were affecting not only "our" house but also a neighbor's as well.