There are a few spots that I know I can save some money and not sacrifice too much time (floors, paints, cabinet install).I actually have the landscaper out there for the next 3 days getting the property all cleaned up.

Cost efficiency being one, but it also gives the sponsor the ability to acquire assets in a competitive landscape with "callable capital." 

I'll stick to free-markets, and if others do the same it'll increase the already competitive landscape of searching for opportunities in more desirable markets. 

I figured 25k for that plus 50k for some basic renovations - two new bathrooms, some landscaping, windows, re-carpet, some new kitchen appliances.

(Mortgage, insurance ,flood insurance , utility/gas/internet bills, landscaping, cleaning, supplies, HOTEL TAXES and lastly the random repair and avg of that price) I have headache days but the vast vast majority of guests are wildly polite and low maintenance. 

My point was to continue looking around because the landscape is changing quickly in the Non-QM territory and you can save money or get flexibility. 

However, I do use a similar system for landscaping.

Don't buy in another city until you understand that landscape and the submarket.

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.