Or do I risk it looking like garbage and having to buy all new countertops?

Garbage.

Complaints like noise complaints, smoking in the building, and leaving garbage out in the open.

I've had units with garbage disposals.  

But there are plenty of times I come home from work and they are outside cutting the grass, cleaning up the yard (even keeping our street space clean), & taking all of our garbage cans to the street for pick up day.

Study on this site, ask questions then take the same 40k & buy your first property.We attended a Guru seminar recently, total garbage. 

I also tried AgentPro and the lists they delivered were garbage.

Unfortunately, they have been fed all the fast buck no license no education no money garbage.

Most are garbage and in it only for the $$$.

It's garbage in, garbage out.