Paid in full rent properties have horrible returns, higher taxes, and higher liability exposure, without exception.Why would you not buy a lot more properties and use leverage at historically low rates to boost your cash flow tremendously?  

@Will BarnardWhen I like where I live it improves my mental health which is something I put a high value on.

With gas I'd be more cautious (I personally have installed gas water heaters and gas appliances but I am not comfortable recommending you do it over the internet, and it may not be legal in your state so look into that).Cabinets - make sure they are of a good material, they can last forever if they are and just need some fresh paint when they start getting beat up, if they are already decomposing when you buy the place though you better be prepared mentally for an expensive replace.Counters - You can go cheap on replacing them but a lot of landlords are putting hard stone in now, they last longer, look better and don't cost that much more if you can get a remnant.

No well person would want to live like this and I suspect some kind of mental issues going on hopefully he gets help and the landlord can get some sort of compensation.  

strawberry box houses:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...the place i'm getting:https://www.centris.ca/en/hous...any ideas for small improvements that could boost the value of these types of homes?

As well as, this new stimulus plan, if it gets passed, will greatly boost the economy to help the real estate market thrive in 2021.

I used to hear from a BP episode in which the guests saying something like "I don't know what happened to those people who live in apartments compared to those living in SFH, but their mentality is different".

Equity in my properties that I've held for a while really got boosted this year.

Supply and demand and low interest rates have been giving housing quite the boost. 

That only promotes this entitlement mentality!