We are very close to being finished getting all the furniture together and into the correct spot, as well as getting it decorated and rent-ready, that whole process took only 3 full weekends, (we live in Philly which is 2hrs away and my dad works most days so we can only work on the property on weekends).

I'm busy with my W2 job and live in a different city so I don't want to furnish the STR; him and his wife have nice furniture in the home already so as part of the deal, I'd like them to make it STR ready (furnished and decorated) before they move out2.

Details about deal1970 46 unit apartment in the DFW area.26 units are 1 bedrm, 1bathroom | rent $990 |security deposit $10020 units are 2bedrm, 1.5bathrm | rent $1230 |security deposit $200Asking price is $5,200,000 | NOI=$217k | Cap Rate=4.17RevenuesTotal Revenue=$567,776 | Net rental revenue=$449,923rental losses=$117853Other revenues (application fee, pet fees, deposit forfeitures) =$59,766Total Revenue=$509,689Operating ExpensesTotal personnel expenses=$88,603Total property administrative expenses=$28,277Total Leasing expenses=$4907Total utility expenses=$36,991Total service expenses=$10,953Total cleaning and decorating=$16,305Total repairs and maintenance=$14,468Total property taxes=$78,731Total Hazard insurance=$27,107Total operating expense=$334,042 (65.5%)Net Operating Income=$175,646Total non-recurring replacements=$25,086Available for debt service=$25086

Hotels are finally starting to improve on the drab monotonous decor that we grew up with, but it will never be enough compared to what an actual SFH STR can offer. 

Just finished a kitchen with Home Decorators Collection Luxury VP on sale $1.60 sqft, with Eco Cork Foam underlayment $.79 sqft.

Make sure you have insurance that is aware of it and it meets city codes.You can minimize any risk by putting a small fence around it and dumping decorative stones in the deeper area to make the water more shallow. 

I would suggest spending some time on getting the decor really appealing then invest in professional photography.

After some repairs and decor I'm doing, I can set up an Airbnb for up to 10 guests (easily 12).

I don't have much taste in decor or furnishings so I need some help designing and furnishing a space that will be profitable for my area.

You can always make the justification that if your property is really nicely appointed (nice kitchen, nice furniture, fresh paint, great interior decor), sleeps a bunch of people, has fun amenities (hot tub, swimming pool, pool table, outdoor kitchen area, manicured firepit) and things for people to do: they will book it out regardless of where it's at.