I would still avoid vinyl siding as much as I could, not necessarily for aesthetic reasons, but more for its environmental impact.   

I believe mine will succeed even in a tougher market because of a combination of pricing, unique position, aesthetic appeal and some other qualitative factors that set it apart.

Traditional mortgage loans start at 20% for Non-owner-occupied properties.10% immediate appreciation means you have to find properties that have a minimal amount of neglect, where a small investment in aesthetic improvemtents yields a big return.

Will you be able to compete will be the question.3) Furnishings can be a game changer, will you be able to compete from an aesthetics perspective? 

They are given carte blanche when trained which is why there are so many horror stories out there.From the sound of it you wanted someone to be involved in the entire rehab process to guide you through it from an aesthetics standpoint.  

In fact, there are green home building websites now that offer aesthetically designed environment-friendly prefab houses modern outdoor and indoor furniture, home accessories, etc.

One aspect of MFR re-positioning that has always intimidated me is the rehab phase.I don't feel like I really have a good eye for aesthetics in terms of design, colors, layout, and materials.I've done cosmetic upgrades before, but they were for A-class, single-family homes, so it was fairly easy since I could just choose stuff that I already have in my own home (hand-scraped hardwood floors, granite and marble surfaces, and brushed-nickel or bronzed finishes, etc.)

Asking on BP is nice, but to be honest I wouldn't say it's enough due diligence for big ticket items.Historic properties are another good example where getting into specialized skills and materials, and deviating from the "standard" way of doing things, might look aesthetically pleasing but can cost a whole lot more when repairing or replacing.Based on what you've said, and without seeing specific numbers, the property sounds overpriced and I would be cautious about buying it.

I have had some issues with this in the past where the inspection only focused on aesthetics to the exclusion of compliance with local building code?

Generally, you do not want the county to inspect and tell you what is wrong as you may open a Pandora's box of fines and fees.Some people just punk ADU's  in and don't worry about the permitting but that approach may open you up to legal issues.