As a realtor and investor in RI/MA, I think the best route to go would be find a realtor-investor hybrid who can give you three prices: #1) AS IS off-market- the realtor-investor purchases him/herself (likely 70-75% of market value)#2) AS IS on-market - the realtor-investor lists on MLS (full market value)#3) Light touch ups + on-market - the realtor-investor lists on MLS.

Many of my rentals I will have rented for several years straight then down about 1 month for touch ups/repairs.  

Adding furnishings and minor touch ups in order to short term rent it.

I think that will be possible with the new kitchen, new hardwood floors, basement re-done, touch ups and appreciation.

You can touch up scratches on these floors, by the way.

This is slightly complicated so please bear with me.Background: I bought an investment house in October 2019, put the electricity bill in my name for the month as I painted and did some minor touch ups. 

The home will need mainly paint and cosmetic touch-ups that me and my partner will be doing together, but it's the big ticket items that I need to budget for. 

The walls may be plaster as well, which you can repair and touch up yourself, but it is a lot of work and not very feasible.

My advice would have been different if you already had several deals under your belt, but as a new investor, you don't want to mess with the complexity of large-scale rehab.Take the money that's on the table now, and find a deal that only requires small cosmetic touch-up. 

Some minor paint touch ups.