I want places with the potential to add cosmetic value, with sound bones, and a nice yard, as that makes my property attractive to tenants with pets, increasing my applicant pool.")2) Make a list of every property that has sold in the last 90 days in your area.

@Matthew Bell Another question is if the $60k figure comes from a GC you can trust or is that the other investor trying to make the deal look attractive? 

some tenants will be more attracted to new built some will be more attracted to odder build. 

I am fairly handy, but I want to buy in a good neighbourhood that will appreciate well and attract quality tenants.I am assuming it would be very beneficial to speak with a local mortgage broker and real estate agent that specializes in real estate investing, but don't know any. 

: An Insider's Tour of the Secret World of Residential Real Estate for Agents, Sellers, and BuyersThe Millionaire Real Estate AgentHouse Hacking The House Hacking Strategy: How to Use Your Home to Achieve Financial FreedomHouse Hacker's Guide to the Galaxy: Use Your Home To Make Millions and Retire EarlyNote InvestingHow To Invest in Debt: A Complete Guide to Alternative OpportunitiesInvest in DebtNote Investing Made Easier: How To Buy And Profit From Distressed MortgagesMindset/Personal FinanceThe 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New RichThe Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy AnswersThe Millionaire MindThe Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America's WealthyThe Miracle Morning: The Not-So-Obvious Secret Guaranteed to Transform Your Life (Before 8AM)The One Minute Millionaire: The Enlightened Way to WealthThe Richest Man in BabylonThe Wealth of Nations: Books 1-3 (Penguin Classics)Wealth Can't Wait: Avoid the 7 Wealth Traps, Implement the 7 Business Pillars, and Complete a Life Audit Today!

Even if the neighborhood was one that would attract good tenants, this is a marginal deal at best. 

Non-QM lenders, including mine - Velocity Capital Mortgage, is an alternative to this.

We are at a point of discussing alternative living arrangements.

Sellers USUALLY make a big deal of this to attract a discerning buyer and they get higher price.

And that means companies need to have more lucrative offer to attract engineers from limited talent pool and that can boost salary.