I've lived off the grid with only solar and propane and as an owner that's NOT going to be successful as STR unless you live on site and can constantly be repairing, cleaning, placing flower arrangements, and seeing to the needs of your guests. 

Add flower pots with geraniums or succulents and a welcome matt or sunflower wreath from Michael's.

New tile brings 300%  @ re tile kitchen and bathrooms, cost $700 increase the value $2100New paint 300%new light fixtures and door knobs 300-500%New windows 200%Curb appeal  ( outside) front yard    1000%   just a few bushes and bark and flowers can make a yard Pop!

Set up individual Revocable trusts for each property, name them with the address: as in: The Flower Street Living Trust. 

Maintenance is minimal with a rock garden and tons of perennial flowers.

You should definitely look at the near Eastside / by Irvington / Little Flower for better prices but stable rents.

Off-market I just don't have the lead network yet to score good off-market cash-flowers, but working on that. 

Landscaping would pop with blue and purple flowers. 

Putting a few personal touches in the home like a vase of flowers in kitchen, a few prints hanging on walls, can help make it look more inviting.

A few blocks away, “Hope + Flower,” another newly completed luxury high-rise is offering up to ten weeks rent free for a 24-month lease.