It probably needs at least some light touches to bring the most on the market. 

I ended up fixing it up lightly and renting it out to a couple for a year. 

My area is seeing a lot of growth from out of state and thought it would be great to have a nice welcome letter as well as a handbook for specific type of questions (how to use the fireplace, How to use and program the auto lights, How to program the automatic schlage lock, favorite local restaurants, etc) When we bought a home several years ago the sellers left us a note as well as a bottle of wine and to this day we still talk about that for a first impression.

And I did have to go up $100 from cheapest fridge with ice/water in door at Lowe’s.

The pandemic has really shown a light on real estate strategies and exposed investors who were too reliant on the "up and to the right" trend in both rents and appreciation. 

Anyone with experience that can shed some more light as to what I should be looking out for.

I'd add "curb appeal" to your list of places to spend money (exterior paint, clean up the yard, light fixtures, address numbers, front door, maybe garage door, etc.).

I would say sand and refinish the cabinets - if they are wood they may surprise you and clean up nicely - with a small kitchen sometimes dark on the bottom and light on the top really help make the space feel bigger. 

Get to the right person and your problems disappear at Airbnb.Off subject but slightly related...One of their head resolution guys told me that if I mention the word "safety" in any resolution that it immediately gets reviewed by a special team of people and things happen at light speed in the company right now in regards to "safety" issues.

Went to the link....now that's a little light easy reading...holy cow..