I paint the walls but I don' t replace the paneling with drywall.I rip out bad kitchen cabinets but I replace them with craigslist used onesI leave in old carpet if it is still in good shape but not a nice color. 

Built on top of existing back porch.Exposed wiring in the attic that lead to non GFI outlets in the soffit.Outside had not been painted in over 15 yearsWhat was done: Trash-out and DemoTear down Sun room and repaired porchProperly repaired electrical in atticPainted inside and outside of house.Painted roof (yes, you can do that)Replaced floors with new laminate and carpet throughout the houseReplaced old almond color switches, outlets and covers with new white onesNew lights and fans throughout the houseCompletely redone bathrooms with new tile, vanities, mirrors, lights.

you should check it out.. he makes some that are out of recycled glass and are real fun with all sorts of color mozaics.. and local to Charleston.

What does skin color have to do with anything?

My personal experience too and this is for those that do not plan on owning them forever and willing them to your kids or next of kin at a stepped up basis.but for those like me that were thinking hey I will own these 7 to 10 years take the write offs then sell retail..I did all that sold retail but what I was not thinking about is that a 10 to 14 year old home even though I bought them brand new.. to sell retail   what was acceptable when I bought them  tile counter tops  black appliances etc etcnow retail buyers standard is granite stainless  new paint 3 colors floors perfect etc etc.so it was costing me 20 to 25k per home to do a retail up grade to sell them for retail prices.. along with cap ex ( which in my case was minimal) since these were only 10 to 14 years old.. but then roofs being replaced because of hail that cost deductible.. and so on and so forth.. the cost of owning and keeping these nice is just more than you can raise rents in most markets.. that's my experience I got top rents in the day but they never went up much during the 10 to 14 years of  ownership.. just like I see modest type rentals that rent for 700 to 900 those rents have stayed pretty constant for the last 20 years .. and prices to fix stuff has gone way up.. 

Get to it and start that perpetual motion machine on up!

We knew exactly what items we needed (including size and color, paint color schemes, countertops, etc.), and exactly what work was needed to create the vision, and we worked those costs into our construction estimate.However, you are talking about a House Hack or a BRRRR, in which case you just need to get the property into a habitable state, with some flourishes thrown in to make the place more homey and attract renters.

Next week we begin to pick exterior colors, and get started on the interiors. 

So where I particularly need advice:The outside... what is a good color scheme?

I have verbally told my clients the information but I think I will use your list (with attribution) :):)My short verbal spiel would be 1) handy owner occupants don't need to cash flow or make money / profit and 2nd will you have a dumpster onsite the day of closing with day labor for the demo, know EXACTLY which electrician, plumber, flooring, cabinet guy, sheetrocker.....that you will use and when will they start, the PART NUMBERS for the cabinets, flooring, paint colors, doors, light fixtures.....