Overall I would seek someone in the market that can advise you since all real estate is hyper local, and while you can pick techniques up and move them between locations, knowing subtle differences between neighborhoods when determining value is not something you are going to pick up on BP easily. 

I like the idea of subtle themes, but don't think it's necessary to go way over the top.

Interest rates are one of the currents, I see them having subtle impact on foreclosures. 

I also route buyers away from neighborhoods where I know there is subtle resistance, such as a few pockets in Scottsdale where homeowners have planted "Homes Not Hotels" signs in their yards.Having said that, there is a lot of hoopla around regulations, but when it comes time to make changes, cities have only imposed minor inconveniences, such as registering your rental to ensure you are paying transaction privilege tax and posting the name and number of a local contact who can be on the scene to respond to any noise calls made to police.Whenever there are any campaigns to limit rentals, STR owners show up at the state house to defend their property ownership rights, so regulation attempts have been limited to the kinds of overlays I've mentioned above.No one wants major party houses in their neighborhoods, so choosing your tenant type wisely and setting your STR up in a way that doesn't accommodate huge crowds is a hedge against attracting unwanted attention.As far as price points, while there are a few condo complexes that allow STRS, the majority of STR buyers are purchasing SFR with pools to maximize their revenue.

Subtle but distinct difference there.Depending on how your transactions occurred, you may or may be able to recharacterize.Now if Vanguard made a mistake, then you may have a leg to stand on.

So our first try, our contractors painted the house pastel purple.

I recreated the numbers using 20% down on a 30-year schedule and got the following:When running the same using a 20 year amort schedule, I actually get numbers a little higher than yours (9.5% ROI), but a little variation is to be expected as we are talking about a very long period of time and there are always subtle nuances in calculating performance (some syndicators are experts at this).

A good tile installer and make it look great and you can add subtle accents. 

However, there could be subtle differences how they consider the application, such factors as DTI issues.At the bottom of the market in 1993, I submitted 2 loans I obtained in the mid 80's. totaling $300K, at interest rates exceeding 13%.

At best you might be able to deduct or add to basis 1/10 of the travel expenses.TL;dr - the deductibility of travel expenses is extremely subtle and nuanced.