If everything is equal area, location, bedroom, bath, sqft then it comes down to layout and aesthetics. 

Most people think that this is only for aesthetics.

Creating a dynamic environment makes a home more attractive by helping buyers visualize its potential, and it can also be a good tool for camouflaging any shortcomings.But staging a home goes far beyond just aesthetics, there are real tangible business benefits.

Imagine your house with something like this, but flipped left-to-right:https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/2d/4e/60/2d4e60d29c1a5f0b5892645cf9c84239.jpg...or this:https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/da/00/d0/da00d0d00dee8edb10bb79ff0bb2cc59.jpg These concepts would probably cost LESS than a new driveway and garage door, and put the aesthetics (and $) where they will have 10x more impact and be the most memorable for a buyer, from first (and last) impression, to walking up to the front door.I can't see the existing entry door, so I'm curious if it's style-correct.

If it's just rentals I feel like you can use the rentals to get good at the aesthetic of tile but it's a lot of work.

WhAt are your thoughts on trade off on cost vs aesthetics?

This can be as simple as fully clearing a lot; but a good wildfire mitigation company could save you money by selectively thinning out the thicker brush and understory, and leaving a lesser but safer amount of foliage behind for aesthetics' sake.   

What I have found to be the most appealing to customers is a blend of aesthetics and amenities.

Find something about real estate he likes: maybe he is methodical and a type S or C personality : so maybe he will want to take part in accounting, managing and other number driven activities: maybe he is a high 'I" : where he will like to have a say in the interior aesthetic and design or talking and interacting with the tenants etc Or a high D type: and he will like taking action: negotiating etc  (doesn't sound like this one though ) He has to fall under one of these 4: so assess- learn about each other and make it fun. 

The one that is there is kind of ugly and I was originally going to replace it with an electric unit which would take me a few hours to fabricate but the more I thought about it... the more I think I should replace it with a more aesthetic unit instead that burns wood.