I am not a contractor but I want to do some of the work myself (demo,painting , etc) to cut costs.

But you get fairly reasonable people if you offer a clean painted place with newer appliances.Roseville was pretty easy to deal with, normal safety stuff for inspection.

In terms of what I think it needs to rent stronger would be, new interior doors, facelift the kitchens, appliances are good and new interior paint.

This would take a great deal of paint to get done. 

I've worked in construction and my girlfriend works for a large paint company so we are both very handy.I purchased my first primary residence four years ago.

Then, I always do what is necessary to ensure the residence is clean, safe and functional:Make sure it is extremely clean and free of odors.Give it a fresh coat of paint.

Unfortunately Asbestos siding, similar to lead paint, usually more expensive than other siding and paints, was purchased with the best intentions.

Project scope: landscaping, new fence, new plumbing (from the main and in the house), new electrical, converted from oil to gas, new HVAC, water heater, reconfigured upstairs to include 2 BRs and a real full bath, gutted kitchen, new bathroom on 1st floor, refinished HW floor, new roof and gutters, repair fascia, soffits, siding, painting, concrete work on sidewalk and driveway, new basement windows, new door and windows on detached garage.

Cost me about 3-4K in painting/make ready.

New roof, new hardy siding, new floors, new interior/exterior paint, new deck, all new fixtures.