For an STR, I might run with it, making the right kind of modern statement wall with the right furniture. 

Look for Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA's) that have growing populations, growing jobs, modern/diverse economies where businesses are investing capital.

I recently purchased a 6 acre, ready to build plot in south county RI and am looking for a home builder to discuss construction of a modern farmhouse ranch style home.

If you are thinking about adding AC or other modern amenities, you'll be spending a lot of money.

Renovated 10 of the apartments with modern fixtures and finishes to attract great tenants.

The perfect combination is a section 8 tenant with SSI/SSDI and unemployed...we trade safe, clean, and appropriately priced units, for a long term tenant that pays rent on time, every time.In reality, none of us are real estate investors, or landlords, we're housing providers...and as a society, the progress of the most vulnerable is a direct reflection on all of us...and in the US, we're close to the worst in the civilized world at housing people.

It was in pretty good shape overall for its age having had various updates through the years,  but in a perfect world it was going to need work to correct awful floor plan (made by combining two small main floor units into a larger one) and the roof was going to need replacing in 5 years,  and it needed some other upgrades and modernizing if I was going to keep it longer.   

All electrical outlets and switches were modernized as well.

Renovating the kitchen and creating an open/modern feel in the living space of this house really puts in on a different level.

It is livable but quite dated and we would want to modernize/ make more energy efficient and maybe even add a small in law unit if he would like to stay in the home as well.