It lists the price per square foot of the common repairs/upgrades. 

This would allow me to do upgrades/renovations and then re-introduce the unit to a different market segment with a higher entry point.

You want your listing agent motivated and ready to go to bat for you throughout the negotiation and escrow and that 11th hour renegotiation because of the broken widget in the inspection.

Even if we were to only net $150/mo the tenant would be paying down our mortgage, but hopefully they will not be destroying all the upgrades in the process. ha!

Buying the poorest real estate in a good location, at least gives you the opportunity to upgrade it.

Buying the poorest real estate in a good location, at least gives you the opportunity to upgrade it.

My problem is that most in neighborhood have not been equally upgraded and thus do not offer very good comparables.

Bonus question: What type of aesthetic upgrades have you guys done during the turnover time that you've found increased the value and appeal of your rental, and how much cost and time has this typically added to the basic make ready process?

New appliances, new flooring, upgraded all of the bathrooms, kitchen, light fixtures, etc.

The building needs substantial mechanical upgrades, but the units themselves are in solid shape; they just need a quick paint and scrape.