I've heard the ads, too.  The

Color ideas appreciated!

Let me add some color here.

Post your pictures and post some of the rentals in the area and their rental amount.Personally, I like to go for the higher end renter without over investing.At a minimum you'll need to:Install a a new compressor is about $2500 and a cage $450.Paint the interior 2 - 3 colors - pick favorite neutrals and stick with them so it's easier to maintain.

Bathrooms get outfitted like people live there...shower curtains, towels, soaps, toothbrush holder, lotion dispenser all in coordinating color scheme.

There is a very good chance that this is the case where you live, too.  The

I actually use direct buy for my renos.it allows me to spend the price of an economic version, but receive a upper/middle end product of whatever I'm buying.The big savings i've noticed is for flooring (carpet/tile/hardwood/laminate), cabinets, and counters.Yes, you can likely pick up some of this cheaper from ReHab stores of Habitat For Humanity or garage sales, but this allows me to pick exactly what I want for colors and style.

Exterior Gutters/Soffit/Fascia - Clean Gutters - Repair damaged columns on porch - Remove decorative wood work above columns - Remove Shutters Siding - Remove and replace damaged siding to match existing Exterior Paint - Prep all exterior areas for paint - Paint entire exterior (except brick), all siding, trim, and doors in 3 color paint scheme Interior Demo - Removal of damaged sheetrock and insulation - Removal of all light fixtures, fans - Removal of all tile in kitchen - Removal of existing countertops - Removal of sinks/countertops and faucets (from both sink and tub) in both bathrooms - Removal of existing toilets - Removal of tile surrounding both bathtubs - **Dumpster to be provided by homeowner Sheetrock - Patch sheetrock on walls and ceiling, including garage - Sheetrock over skylights - Remove all popcorn texture on ceiling - Texture to match walls and ceiling Paint - Prep and paint all walls and ceilings - Prep and paint all trim and doors Electrical - Install 4 recessed can lights with white trim in kitchen, cover fan block - Install 5 fans in living room, dining room, and 3 bedrooms (**fans provided by homeowner) - Install light fixtures in entry, hallway, bathrooms, closets (**provided by homeowner) Plumbing - Connect and install sink and bathtub faucets in each bathroom (4 total) - **Faucets to be provided by homeowner - Tile 2 bathtub surrounds, to include appropriate backing material - **Tile to be provided by homeowner Flooring - Install tile in kitchen and 2 bathrooms - Install laminate/vinyl wood plank flooring everywhere else - **Tile and laminate provided by homeowner Cabinetry/Countertops - Repair and Refinish existing kitchen and bath cabinets - Install new hardware provided by homeowner - Install 2 new white cultured marble sinks in bathroom - Install new laminate countertops in kitchen Air Conditioning -Inspect and perform maintenance on interior unit -Install new exterior unit (suggest size in estimate) Insulation -Install new batt insulation above kitchen where skylights were -Replace any exposed, water damaged insulation **All Labor and Materials to be provided by contractor, unless otherwise noted

Make sure you get a paint that is easy to get and a basic color so if you have to make touchups in the future it will save you lots of stress.

We both work full time, have 7 duplexes, and throw all the extra on the mortgages.The snowball works backwards too. The