Which would make a better rental property - a brand new, medium-sized home on a relatively small lot with lots of features and "trendy" interior, or a large, older home with a distinctly 90's vibe?

If not, maybe you skip it, or maybe you do it to stand out from the others.Depending on the market/pricing we will do high velocity for higher end homes (over $1.5 M), traditional HVAC systems for medium priced builds and split systems if it makes more sense economically for the build out.  

I hope this helps, like I said there are so many different experiences from everyone and tons of articles on here about it but, I think that at the end of the day you need to find a happy medium between not having any protection at all or going overboard on protecting your assets, especially if you are a growing investor which is constantly growing and shrinking and moving pieces around.

With that said we are on a mission to obtain property, and having to "flush" it out.What mediums are currently working for other investors?

Why not find a happy medium?

Lower Risk:  I use my cash and buy investment Medium Risk: I buy homes using 20-30% cash and finance the rest. 

I'm currently embarking on several renovation projects from medium size, to major. 

In the Bayview and Excelsior, you still need to go block by block, but over the medium term, yes.  

My refusal to get involved in laying out a comprehensive marketing plan is because whatever I say regarding who to market to, how much you should budget and what medium you should use is because what works for me in my market most likely won't work for you in your market. 

or a medium size downturn?