Flower shops are not going to stick around b/c they make their money on big weddings and funerals. 

On the Southern/Mountain theme in the US I feel like I'm a bit late to the party but maybe there is still room to run.

Consider making a theme for your property like John Deere (greens and yellows, tractors, farming, etc.), Riverboats, Casinos, historic, etc. 

As someone with a master's in real estate (finance), I agree with the theme here that a degree is not needed generally!

Here is a link to a relocation guide that we developed for just this situation https://lakecdarealestate.com/north-idaho-relocation-guide/A few things our area has to offer: Silverwood Theme Park/Boulder Beach Water Park, Lakes, Golf, Hiking, Biking, Resort Life, close to International Airport, extremely family oriented communities, great Public, Charter, Private, on-Line Charter and Homeschooling Co-Ops.

The kitchen needs redone, but we aren’t sure if we should renovate it to match the 1930s theme, or go with a modern style and update the rest of the house to match that.

And laminate in the common rooms and bedrooms) would go along way as well as a neutral color theme throughout like greige?

I'm happily engaged (COVID-19 pushed back my wedding); have a stable job; purchased my first house; and have a decent amount of money saved up.My question is; and based on the above, if you were in this situation i'm currently in, how would you start real estate investing?

I too am thinking about ways to change things up and was figuring I'd go with a seasonal theme.

I started my real estate journey last year but put a pause on it to focus on wedding planning.