Running a successful STR comes down to 3 Ps: pics, people & pricing.1) Decorate your house nicely & pay a professional photographer to take some amazing pics2) Hire amazing people - cleaners, handyman, recruit some neighbors to help fill in the gaps, & self-manage or hire an offshore VA to manage the property if you'd rather make yourself rich instead of making a local property manager rich (more on that here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/... )3) Price fiercely to maximize profits not occupancy (they're not the same thing).

There are homes nearby with better decorations and such...

Messy management, cleaning crew horror stories, 'what-was-I-thinking' decor choices, and furniture fails can all lead to an unpleasant nosedive.But hey, don't sweat it.

It sounds like you have a decorative advantage and you are in a great position.

I use an interior designer to do the furniture and decorations to add a little uniqueness to each place. 

We have several reviews people saying they are going back home to a more uncomfortable $2000+ mattress.https://www.costco.com/novafor...Home goods for smaller things, decor, pictures, "flair" or knick-knack items, good prices on furniture during sale dates.Cost Plus World Market for furniture, utensils, REALLY good prices on furniture during sale dates.Shamrock Foods (retaurant supply store) for frying pans, pots, pint glasses, cheap plates, bowls.Never had good luck with Wayfair or Ikea furniture. 

@Jordan SpoerriThe house we bought in September was amazingly decorated and had bookings in place.

This is also why having the right decor is so important, to make it stand out.3.

Complete renovation & stylish decor.

@Domenico Geria  is it furnished and decorated as a STR?