You buy the shares (equity) and then get the dividends (rental income) and have the potential for appreciation just as a stock that could go up or down (similarly not realized until sale) but unlike dividends that are immediately taxable, you get to wash out all taxes in this case and then some using depreciation and also get the ROI enhancement due to leverage from the principal reduction component when compared to buying shares of stock outright (as opposed to on margin). 

If there's an opportunity to enhance/create storage space without sacrificing living space, I'd explore it.

The fir or cedar can go for salmon enhancement root balls.  

the long-term effects of this decision: Converting a 3 BR house to a 5 BR house would be the optimal move here, as it won't cost us much and it will greatly enhance the appaisal and cash-out refi amounts later this year, no?

I'm open to any information that would enhance my research.

Once that is done, then you can focus on other things on how to improve or enhance your business.

Whether you've landscaped, added green enhancements, renovated kitchens, or added amenities, you may have increased the value of the property.

By staging the home with light colors and diverse texture, to the wood, it balanced out very well, the new photos of the staged home drew in multiple buyers, with multiple offers.

It seems more and more like airbnb is a viable strategy for people to enhance their returns in all kinds of markets.  

You could scan a good picture into the painting sites for Sherwin Williams or Benjamin Moore to get an idea but I think you loose the texture of the rock.