It is in a nice part of town on a dead end street and the units looked like they were recently renovated (new windows, carpets). 

I think will also revisit the carpet.  

Renovations included new granite in kitchen and bathrooms, new commercial stainless kitchen sink, new vessel sinks in bathroom, new tiled shower, new vanity mirrors and fixtures, new  LED lighting and 4 ceiling fans throughout, new vinyl plank floors with new carpet in bedrooms, new interior and exterior pain, stained deck, new fence on 3 sides, chimney repair, new cabinet hardware and new door hardware throughout, new plumbing fixtures, added channel/french drain at end of driveway for water pooling, added drainage near front of house to divert rainwater, added landscaping beds, river rocks and pavers in backyard in shaded area where grass will not grow, replaced IG thermal glass window.

Renovations included new granite in kitchen and bathrooms, new commercial stainless kitchen sink, new vessel sinks in bathroom, new tiled shower, new vanity mirrors and fixtures, new LED lighting and 4 ceiling fans throughout, new vinyl plank floors with new carpet in bedrooms, new interior and exterior pain, stained deck, new fence on 3 sides, chimney repair, new cabinet hardware and new door hardware throughout, new plumbing fixtures, added channel/french drain at end of driveway for water pooling, added drainage near front of house to divert rainwater, added landscaping beds, river rocks and pavers in backyard in shaded area where grass will not grow, replaced IG thermal glass window.

The garage has been emptied of everything except the wall to wall carpet.

When you say, "bring them up to date and make them very desirable," this sounds like more than a cosmetic facelift (which usually includes carpet & other floor coverings, paint, hardware, light & plumbing fixtures, electrical outlets/switches and maybe new appliances)."

It was s fresh remodel which included newly laid carpet.

I think it starts with offering a decent product (basic carpet and paint) and being patient to find a good family situation.And yes, be ready to deal with some wild situations.

They won't/can't even do a 1st.Nothing wrong with buying a househack that only needs paint & carpet so you can self-fund and the place will be in good enough shape to qualify for low down bank financing.   

Not even counting appliances, carpet and drywall.