I just had a light rehab turn into a major rehab.

Brand new toasters, blenders, pots and pans, silverware, etcLook for appliances at big name Appliance Stores that sell seconds or lightly damaged units (scrapes on the side or back)... 

These pictures pick up more light and ambient light at night for a better picture.

Another one would be new stairways and decks that lead to the apartments either brand new or paint them.

Start with one flip, light scope, and tight numbers.

We're brand new but feel excited and pleased with what we feel like is a better decision.

A cosmetic rehab—new kitchen, flooring, bathroom, recessed lighting, and minor plumbing/electrical—costs me close to $30–35k for a 2-bed/1-bath apartment, and that’s considered cheap for many!

I am brand new and looking for guidance.Thank you!

Regarding amenities, focusing on affordability is smart, but even small touches like well-maintained landscaping and curb appeal, modern or fresh paint colors, energy-efficient LED lighting, updated cabinet hardware, ceiling fans, good window treatments, and ample storage solutions all stand out and can help fill units faster and improve tenant satisfaction.

A few key things you’ll want to focus on are:RevPAR (Revenue Per Available Room) – the core metric for valuing operations.Occupancy trends and ADR (Average Daily Rate) – these drive your revenue projections.Expense ratio and management structure – smaller motels can run at 40–50% expenses, while flagged hotels can be much leaner with scale.CapEx and reposition potential – if it’s a rehab, understanding brand standards and conversion costs (for example, turning an independent motel into a soft-branded flag) can make or break the deal.My partner and I have underwritten several hotel/motel projects in the Los Angeles area, so I’m happy to share some insight into how we typically structure the analysis and what lenders look for in this space.