My house was a 1974-built foreclosure that reeked of smoke, but had nice cabinets and granite countertops.

And then there is the dust from tile, and cement board, and granite ... oh my! 

Currently looking for CARPENTERS, ELECTRICIANS, PLUMBERS, ROOFERS, DEMOLITION MEN, WROUGHT IRON WELDERS, TUCK POINTING / SIDING, PAINTERS, GRANITE, CONCRETE, IN GROUND POOL PERSON, CLEANING/DETAILING PERSON, ROOFERS (regular and wood) and possibly some others I'm missing.  

no losses at all - all area is up and coming - 3 streets down there are houses with granite countertops... it's highly gentrifying .Did anyone out there ever do something like this?

Look to refuel baths, refinish flooring, paint, refinish or replace cabs add granite new appliances etc.

I read granite is best for long lasting counter tops for renting it out.

The countertops will be Steel Gray granite.

Try a concrete or butcherblock counter instead of granite.

Also it allows for u to spend money in other places such as granite counters or higher end appliances.

Granite countertops are the best for durability (no Corian) but Formica usually holds up just fine and is inexpensive.