In the kitchen we held onto a quite old but solid stainless steel countertop and added white glossy cabinets that looked higher end (these seem more popular over here than the US for some reason)

@Ryan Steele just because YOU are not investing in those areas doesn't mean "those of us in Chicago" aren't.

I am looking at buying my first rental property and wondering what strategy makes the most sense, I have some cash can buy one house that might not be in an area where the value will go up anytime soon but has slot of renters and the house would need little work if any before its ready to rent, option 2 would buy maybe 2 in that area but they need work so can use a credit card to cover the repairs and help build my credit ( I have a good score just not a real long history which the bank dont seem to like) option 3 would be take the cash I have to cover 20% or higher of a down payment on a house in a better area where rent is 300 higher on average my goal is to buy and hold and rent maybe down the road get into buying and selling thanks for any opinions

purchase price 30k 25% down @ 5% 30 fix 3 plus one SFH built in 1954 new roof, ac, windows, ktichen cabs, counters 1000sq ft Corner Lot 9000+ sqft 700 garage/steel building shop..ran test ad for this alone seems $180 House rents at 750 to 850...I ran test ads plus reserched Market-PMs Section 8 is around $900 Needs $3000k carpet,paint, vinyl, misc use home depot cheap stuff Wells Fargo Appraised $44, 500 arv I have team for maintenance and pm if needed.

I use only braided stainless steel hoses.

@Ryan Steele, Thanks for the welcome and information and as for the upcoming meeting, is there a charge for attending?

I've been researching how to change the coin slot because I'm going to be raising it to $1.50 soon.

Bob Steele is one long time REO broker.

I never specify in the marketing that the range is gas, I do advertise that it has a stainless steel finish.

Not a huge deal but something to be aware of, as other Chicago people like @Ryan Steele were kind enough to point out to me when I got started on this site.Otherwise, enjoy the BP community and I am looking forward to hearing about your successes over the months and years.John