Laminate countertops can hold up pretty well and if damaged, will need to come out of the security deposit - lower cost product, so a larger percent of it gets paid for if damaged. 

Tan/brown neutral , and yes a little darker to hide stains....and not a Berber loop style, those look nice but are prone to damage...

There was a leak and about $10k in water damage done.

If they are in an upstairs apartment and leak, the damage can extend to the downstairs unit.

Future steps will be getting engineering plans done for the road and utility work, a concept plan for the subdivision and getting it all approved from P and Z and town council again.I know I am missing steps in here but I wanted to type out a scenario so I can come back with questions when I hit some road blocks.

The potential damages would likely be less than what it would cost to litigate, especially on a smaller deal.

One is a 2bed/2bath completely renovated and the other is a cinder block house 2 bed/1 bath that needs minimum updates.

There are going to be three levels of addressing this 1) things you can simply go there and do anytime (pick up pet waste and throw it away) 2) things you can do given proper notice (enter the unit and inspect, repair damage etc) and 3) things you can only do given proper process/procedure (notice to vacate, increase rent etc.)

Only choose houses in the blocks that you really want and know you will have to overpay to get it this way.Are you looking for a done house or a rehab one for yourself? 

Foreperson: “your honor, let me get this straight, the plaintiff lost the defendant’s money, didn’t tell them, ignored their calls, and left their voice mail box full so no one could reach them, and now the plaintiff is asking me to award them damages because the defendant complained about it?”