Rather they look like a decorative attempt with shake (or fake shake) on box construction.

I'm not really a home decorator so good ideas are welcome. 

Weekends are generally difficult for me  depending on what events my wife has going on (we also have a Wedding/Event Rental and Decor Business which she will go decorate for which leaves me in charge of the kids) but if you get a date, time and location together I will see what I can do. 

I'm hoping I can turn my love of real estate and interior decorating into a full-time business within the next five years.

Takes longer and costs more then normal, then you're trying to rent in Dec or Jan.

Is the tenant responsible for final renovations like kitchen needs, 50's decor, etc?

One very simple thing to make it look more modern/upscale is to take the tile all the way up the wall rather than stop partway up like a tub surround. white subway tiles are nice and will go with any decor.

Find a discounted supplier like Floor & Decor we have in Atlanta or check Craigslist for a salvage company that might have a deal on flooring.

We are currently interested in properties in Katy, Sugar Land, Missouri City or Pearland, TX as we are familiar with these areas.Neither my husband nor myself have real estate experience other than my long-standing interest in real estate and obsession with interior decorating.

Many people at open houses are just looking for decorating ideas or being nosey neighbors.