Hardie planks looks 100 times better, but for rentals you typically just aim for functionality and not worry as much about aesthetics.

Also to be considered is that the plywood fasteners, nails or screws,  will have left lots of holes in the wood flooring which may have been covered up for a reason other than aesthetics.  

I named my company (The Suburban Group) 30 years ago (1984) after an obscure punk-rock group.

The property does need to be in "livable condition", so if you have any rehab beyond minor aesthetic repairs, you could get a Fix and Flip loan which is short term (12-24 months), interest only, and no prepayment penalty. 

That way some of the wall can come down (or be opened up at least) while keeping the aesthetic of a fire place?

Both those things would add to the aesthetic appeal of the place.

Better yet, redesign with a more contemporary look, build a portico or at least create some type of more aesthetically pleasing porch.-  If possible, update the listing to say it was built in 2014 (not 2013).-  You say that this is a unique product for the area -- that's not a good thing. 

Obviously aesthetics will need to be gone over between renters.

So, if you're considering putting money in, my opinion is to put it into functional items, not purely aesthetic ones like molding...Just my $.02...

Me too, I only hope they are somewhat accurate :wink: If most people carried, a punk would be far less likely to hold up a 7-11 if he knew the chance of someone behind him with a red dot on the back of his head was pretty good.