I just bought it in the fall and am trying to complete a bunch of modifications during off-season (e.g. metal roof, certain safety features, treating the deck, possibly updating the fire pit area, etc). 

Curb appeal for higher-end properties will be much more important, especially when it comes to marketing - most ads and main listing photos feature the front of the property.In this case, I would consult with a professional - i.e. landscape designer or stager.

that we’ve learned in our 24 years, managing almost 700 doors across the Metro Detroit area, including almost 100 S8 leases:Class A Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 3-5 years for positive cashflow, but you get highest relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% the more recent norm.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 680+ (roughly 5% probability of default), zero evictions in last 7 years.Class B Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, decent amount of relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% should be applied only if proper research done to support.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 620-680 (around 10% probability of default), some blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 5 yearsClass C Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, high cashflow and at the lower end of relative rent & value appreciation.

I’m open to either a townhouse or a single-family home, but I’m definitely trying to steer clear of any crazy HOAs that eat into cash flow (you know what I’m talking about!).

Open-concept kitchen designs are also highly desirable.2.

While living in a high-cost area can present challenges, it also opens doors to creative strategies, like investing out of state or leveraging partnerships.

In the last 18 months various states have instituted new rules, regulations or laws related to (1) need for licensure to wholesale (2) restrictions on marketing of a property in which you do not have ownership and (3) disclosure requirements when dealing with a homeowner that makes it clear to the homeowner that the contact signed with the wholesaler is not a definitive “sales” contract, therefore making it less likely home owners will sign4.

Being the military, it had that definite institutional overtone to it, but the basic premise was the same.I recently toured a new senior's complex in which on end - for those who were still relatively self sufficient - had individual units (bedroom, sitting room / kitchenette ... effectively a bachelor apartment but without a full kitchen) clustered together in groups of 4 with their own common room / kitchen and courtyard.On the other side of the complex were units for those who required more assisted living.  

If you have high W2 income, the amount your STR makes (or loses) will be peanuts compared to the tax savings.

If you can come in and operate effectively I think you'll find success rather quickly due to that.BTW - for a property management platform I would highly recommend Buildium.