This involves upgrades to common areas, amenities, and unit interiors, which can be expensive.

You think changing interior design, pictures, layout, etc would change STR success?

You could buy that decent interior home for below 130k.

The most recent house we offered needs a complete remodel inside, but the structure is sound.For example, we need new kitchen cabinets, sinks, paint, flooring, and drywall in certain areas of the house that have been damaged, as well as new light fixtures and interior and exterior paint.

Interior is a blank slate, which could be good or bad.I realize I haven't provided anything useful.

They had to all be pulled back out and done correctly (this after all the interior renovations had been completed).  

Since we didn’t have a pool and are not walking distance to the Broadwalk, we focused on interior design and that has helped, but we consistently lose out to Airbnbs with a pool, so we are working on maybe getting an above-ground pool and/or hot tub.

Golf simulators have come way down in price ($3-5K for a basic unit and setup) could also work in a garage, but not an interior room.

The 2 retail spaces, already close to market rent, were under long-term leases with substantial increases.RCA prepared 3D floor plans and interior renderings for early marketing of the units.

-Recent renovations - the more modern the interior is and more functional increase its value-Floor plans - you could have two identical office buildings but one with a better floor plan will sell for higher per sqft.