I typically use the following to find great deals on appliances:Black FridayBestBuy (open box)Sears OutletAmazon - Used sectionGoogle search for "used appliances"CraigslistSometimes Lowes and Home Depot have an open box section as wellSalvation Army or GoodwillYou also need to keep in mind what brand you are buying.

You can go to Home Depot and look for one of the guys hanging around by the entrances and find a clean looking one who can help you tear up the flooring in the two rooms you need to level out.

We currently only work with very simple, 3 story garden walk-up apartments- Super nice- made to appeal to women, stainless appliances, quartz surface but still affordable to build.  

We ended up ripping up all the carpet and replacing with LVP from Home Depot.

If you have a stove with those standard pans under the burner you can buy them at home depot.

If you have not done so, use a garden hose to spray out the condenser coils/fins.

By the theme of the living room.EXECUTIVE QUALITY FURNISHED APARTMENTS:2 BR apartment - Working Labradors - 3 beds2 BR apartment - Resting Labradors 2 BR apartment - History Channel - 3 beds 2 BR apartment - Home Theater 2 BR apartment - Sports 2 BR apartment - Ocean Sailing Ships - 3 beds 2 BR apartment - Dogs Playing Poker 2 BR apartment - Guy Movies 2 BR apartment - Rock and Roll 2 BR apartment - Quentin Tarrantino 2 BR apartment - Country Living AFFORDABLE FURNISHED HOUSES:3 BR house - Schwarzenegger Tribute - 2 baths - 4 beds 2 BR house - Garden Spot - 4 beds 2 BR house - Matchbox 20 3 BR house - Forrest Gump 3 BR house - 5th Street Retreat - 4 beds4 BR house - Grand Central Station - 5 beds3 BR house - Retro 3 BR house - The Green House - 4 beds 2 BR house - 7th Street Retreat - 3 beds 2 BR house - 6th Street Retreat - 3 beds BIG MAN CAVE HOUSES:The Hunting Lodge - 2 story - 5 beds - 2 baths The Taj Mahal - 2 story - 8 beds - 2 baths The Big House - 3 story - 8 beds - 4 baths 

Some of the small things I like to improve at turnover or purchase, mostly at little cost if you do the work yourself....Paint everywhere, new flooring if needed (LVP is great, but Home Depot free tear out and install of carpet is cheaper in the short term), new toilet seats and handle, new lighting in bathroom, new handles on all doors (I like brass nickel), new fixtures on sinks and showers, ceiling fans, change all outlet and light switch covers, cabinet hardware, replace appliances if needed, supply washer & dryer if appropriate, clean up and improve landscaping, new blinds, supply curtain rods so they don't destroy your drywall, paint the front door and or entryway. 

To expand on the Menards 11% off - I found out about 6 months ago that home depot will price match that and send you a gift card for the rebate: www.homedepotrebates11percent.com/#/home

We currently have a gardener that comes weekly for $150/month that mows&blows + a little shrub trimming here and there.