Covering most of the routine maintenance items here. 

That's actually a comedy routine to an experience investor.

If the tenant is requesting a cosmetic upgrade, you have no obligation to do it.

Likely just light cosmetic, fix ups, bath and kitchen remodel, landscaping. 

We bought it with a HELOC on my mom's primary residence for the first $40k, then hired a contractor for demolition and major renovations, did cosmetics ourselves and used more heloc money totaling $60,000. 1 year later we listed it on VRBO and AIRBNB and refinanced the $100000 into a fixed rate mortgage.

Although only light "fixing"-- mostly cosmetic stuff. 

As we got into what was supposed to be just a cosmetic rehab we uncovered several things that set me back by about 5 months and $40K.

Their approach resembles the BRRRR method.For example, we have a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home in fair condition (requiring less than $20K in cosmetic repairs) that has been on the market since August 2024.

All new cosmetic ?

While you can't create limitations against their lease and legal rights they have for quiet enjoyment, things like keeping common areas free of clutter or routine maintenance items that are tenant responsibility can often be added to help keep the expectations on both parties clear.