Although I have loved my career, and had years of relatively tax-free income while living overseas, I really wanted a change of interior brain decor.

Cosmetic improvements alone, including painting, decorating, and minor repairs, or other work that can be performed safely without having the residential real property vacated, do not qualify as substantial rehabilitation.

I got my share of decorations.

We were out of city for few days and getting the estimates for paint job (for patches/damages due to unapproved decoration) from the different contractors took time.

Upfront investment is furnishing a home can be a huge turn off initially, due to needing kitchenware, linens, towels, TVs, decor, etc.

High-end furniture, custom construction, and themed interior decoration.

I personally recommend self-managing because there is an abundance of tools that you can use to where you do little to no work at all.As far as vendors for furnishing I'd look into partnering with an interior decorator because they get extreme discounts at all furniture stores, Amazon Business Prime, Wayfair, & HostGPO. 

The last thing you want is to be in a position where you have outlayed a lot of cash for furniture, decor, and technology only to find out that you are in the hole every month. 

- unit configuration (bedrooms/baths)- decor & amenities.

You may not even have to renovate, just decorate.