First you need to learn to separate the following:Maintenance: usually things related to wear & tear or tenant damage.Repairs: usually broken items like doors & windows, caused by tenant or nature.Capital Improvements: usually expensive things that wear out: hot water tanks, furnaces, roofs, etc.The seller is correct that Repairs & Capital Improvement items should not be a factor for awhile (ALWAYS get your own inspection to confirm).

If you missed the window for completing the repairs, that is on you.

New drywall, mechanicals, windows, electrical, roof, siding- essentially new from foundation up. 

Inside mounts look cleaner and you can still add decorative window dressings.

If you have other channels to list on, I recommend starting there and then launching on Airbnb/VRBO until you are within the booking window for your market.

I think another idea is come up with some renderings and a slide deck and go make presentations at the closest senior centers, Rotary and other service clubs, maybe several nearby chambers and see what kind of interest there is. 

I spend a total of 5 days a month performing maintenance related duties(replace flooring, windows, plumbing issues, ect.).

Reading what they have to say in those articles gives you a window to the mind of the syndicator.

But at turnover you needed better paint and change out window coverings almost always.. change carpet every other tenant.. glad i had concrete floors in the main living areas..

Then hopefully we have a 3-4-5 year window to increase rates.