I don't know if it's their printing partners or what, but I find that almost every single postcard that gets returned to me has font print smudging or other quality issues.

But, a nicely designed and painted house with well thought-out accent walls, etc may subconsciously contribute to my higher classifying in quality and condition, which may somewhat influence value, but not necessarily significantly.Good luck!

A 35% return in a couple of month seems pretty high.

However, I have relationships with people who can do the work better and I am more analytical and geared towards the business side.

A seller credit reduces your cap gains... or having the amount in escrow shows your commitment to the improvement.Others might have better ideas.

Where can i find inexpensive but quality kitchen cabinets?

A few important things I would be looking for:1) the experience and credentials of the broker who supervises the company as well as the lead property manager2) the services they offer and how they line up with your needs and expectations3) the use of technology to make their job and yours easier 4) if they have a landlord-tenant attorney on retainer to help guide them on legal issues (not to mention the creation of lease agreement, landlord forms and notices, etc.)5) their process and policy for a) listing, b) application, c) tenant selection, d) routine inspections, e) maintenance services, f) property and tenancy update reports to you, g) lease enforcement policy, and f) move-out process.6) property owner reviews (you can't always rely on Google reviews, because they may not reflect actual quality of the company, but still) 7) beneficial programs for both owner and tenant 8) a property management agreement that would indicate they know what they're doing and have the experience to know what matters in a PMA.

Acquiring an income earning property with high potential for appreciation for less than $20k out of pocket?  

We bought much of the furniture new, choosing premium quality for the main rooms, and supplemented with discount deals online or some lightly used items.

Obviously, one must use the BP principles and "Buy right" to significantly reduce risk.