I know that buyer should always beware, but I expect a retail home improvement store to exercise a bit more of an ethical practice than this, or am I wrong?

I have a tenant that is willing to pay for significant upgrades that will greatly enhance my property value. 

The exercise is valid but pretty academic.

To find out the real story to your book you will have to do an exercise called the seven levels deep.

@Danny WoodsonThis is a great exercise in running comps.  

The period between the time the transaction to purchase or sell a property is completed and the exercise of the Option is a "window".

This is not something I would ever recommend until you are on the ladder and have made some money and are comfortable if the decision does not go in your favor but I believe this is the next step in an investors career path to grow and enhance your portfolio.Are others venturing outside their comfort zone and if so what has been a success for you and why and when did you decide to venture away?

Real estate can be good exercise though if you like house and yard work.

Bass really carries, so no bass enhancement devices either.Since your sub-floor is attached directly to the joists without the sound control between them the noise will carry a lot from above to below and from below to above.

My man @Bruce Woodruff likely has a wealth of examples where he as a contractor exercised this skill.