Ideally I would like my property to attract younger tenants (under the age of 35).

Agree with @Jarrod Covey - Bastrop is attractive with Tesla coming. 

The alternative is to accept the progressing deteriation, rent to inferior people until you can't rent it anymore at all.The median price point for a single family in Milwaukee is $192k as of September 2020.

We are working on locking up our deal tomorrow hopefully, figured it would be wise to figure out the best way to attract contractors w/ good skills but understanding that this isn't a one off and is rather a relationship building situation.

@Lawrence ChenThe first step I’d do is write down your goals and expectations for an investment - what cash flow do you want, how much time do you want to spend, what condition of home, what about a market attracts you, etc.Then once you have a better idea that, I’d recommend to start reaching out to agents who are also investors so you can learn how the local markets are operating and how the on-market MLS compares to off-market deals.Overall, the Midwest is great.

I see more buyers put off by "busy" granite than by a cheaper alternative. 

My alternative is a Conventional loan, but I really want to stay 10% down-payment and lower. 

If your numbers still work, pools can be an attractive feature and could fetch higher rents.

I'm putting 10% because 3% or 5% is attractive enough in this current market as well as not enough for the house to break even.

States with no income tax and low housing cost are sounding attractive everyday.