Then go to as many REO properties as you can and practice your skill set.Here is some more info that should help you: Break up the home into sections - Kitchen, baths, flooring, paint, stucco, landscaping, plumbing (including fixtures), electrical (including fixtures), HVAC, interior doors, door casings/baseboards, windows/sliders/front door, roof, foundation, misc., and garage.Once you know what the common costs are for each area for a specific size home, you can see how easy it will become to walk in and walk out 15 minutes later with a rehab figure in your head.

Can someone recommend a few places where I can find cheap kitchen cabinets and flooring (laminate/pergo) in the Oakland/East bay area of California.  

Front door then living room then office then bedroom then kitchen then bathroom.Its not for everyone but its in a hot area so I get a good rent for it and it always rents quickly.

I knew from looking at the pictures that the bathrooms and kitchens would need to be redone.

Some updating in the kitchen sink and baths included new granite countertops and Custom vanities and Cabinets.

I may house hack and rent out a room, and I'll definitely add value via a carport-to-garage conversion and bathroom/kitchen remodels.

I agree with others, you definitely need new paint, flooring, and depending on the kitchen, I'd paint the cabinets and put in new knobs. 1b-  I think you need to know your area, and the type of renters there.. 

Then send them updates on the project, new kitchen going in, before and after shots.Project complete and new tenant moves in August 1.  

I'm trying to decide on a theme for my rental kitchens, I use white cabinets, and jamocha granite countertops because they look nice and there cheap.

I've checked the numbers and about 1.3% under 2% rule (rare in the area), rooms looked pretty decent, only some bugs around kitchen and raw basement.