Ideally, both kinds of buyers are able and willing to pay a premium price, hopefully in a cash-only deal, for their urban oasis in Spain (whether it'll be their main or second residence), as long as it's modern and ready to live in, which saves them the hassle to renovate it themselves.

Taking the primary residence from a 3 to a 4 bedroom, adding HVAC, new open floor plan, modern kitchen and bathrooms as as well as adding massive walk in closets in two of the four bedrooms.

Buy, refinish the floor, spiff up but don't modernize, then trot on down to the Huntington Collection and furnish with quality, durable antiques.The niche market I'd target is rich parents of out of state child actors coming out for auditions.

@Patricia Andriolo-BullI also like a clean light interior, with black - which makes it feel grounded and modern. 

This is the Old West End, a historical district in Toledo that has a very strict HOA/Historical Protection group that basically forbids you to use most modern building materials.

Portugal is a modern society.

The Wealth of Nations, Adam SmithOne of the most essential economics texts, The Wealth of Nations forms the underpinning of much of modern economic theory.Capitalism and Freedom, Milton FriedmanMilton Friedman's iconic work argues that economic freedom is essential to a free and liberal society.

If you are looking for a more modern look, (as others have said) Hardy board is always nice.

David OrrTax Modern

I spent 25 years at my laptop, so I'm looking to do something more hands-on.An idea that hits the sweet spot—it's more hands-on, it's related to my interests, I can use my previous experience—is to start a business helping Raleigh-area MTR (and possibly STR) owners set up their rentals.