I'm 39, technically I started at 27 doing a full Reno on my first house and also I did a flip and rental but both were a struggle as it was during the 08 fallout so I got spooked and focused on climbing the ladder at work and a big home remodel.

It had been remodeled, each side was 2 bedroom, 1 bath , around 1000 sq ft, renting for $550/month. 

Remodeling can change the layout, upgrade appliances, improve bathrooms and kitchens, all things that can have a significant impact on the price.

Thinking about new drywall, new floors, kitchen remodel and other cosmetic work.

Like you, I like to stick with the suburbs.No deadbeat tentants to chase after, schlep PMs, scheister salesmen selling you "rehabbed" properties that end up needing $4500 roof jobs within two years later, toilets, nickel and dime repairs each month.

Has survived tenant toilet overflow, normal shower use, and mopping in the baths.

In this case, it was my first flip, first remodel, first everything and I got ripped off by a contractor after underestimating the amount of time it would take to do the work myself.

I'm planning to do a major bath remodel in my house at some point and recently got a good deal on a big, but non-jetted tub.Why do you say its not practical to swap it out?

@Patrick Philip For a remodel, I think it would be near impossible to get a full one-piece shower/tub unit into the house, thus you dont see them very much in the big box store.  

Because the house was not maintained, after having all stuff removed we ended up ripping out existing fixtures such as cabinets, tubs, toilets, etc.