I feel when you have something that is unique and aesthetically pleasing, then why not keep it? 

If it is I need someone who can help instal a beam across the top, or can help me come up with an aesthetically pleasing solution.

The replacement estimate seemed steep to me, and I did explain that it’s a rental and I’m looking for a long term, functional and cost effective solution over aesthetics. 

I support development, so long as it's planned and retains some inkling of consistency with the existing aesthetics of the neighborhoods.  

The renovation is still one of the best in the neighborhood aesthetically speaking.

Is that just an aesthetic decision in your speadsheet as you're running numbers?

But Toledo’s best days go beyond the aesthetics downtown and there are already discussions on what might be the next neighborhood.  

In this step, you’ll renovate the property to make structural, safety and aesthetic improvements, and prepare it for renters.Rent out the property: Determine the rental price and find people to rent the home.Do a cash-out refinance on the property: With a cash-out refinance, you convert your equity into cash.

I am assuming that the purpose of the beam was to distribute load but there are typically 2 reasons to add a beam 1) aesthetics in which case it is tough to do major wrong and not costly 2) to distribute load (easy to do wrong and more costly).If my assumptions are correct about the beam is to distribute load, pay to get it done correctly. 

Around soffit and trim it's okay, but nothing is nastier looking than a big faded wall of vinyl siding.It's pretty amazing what a fresh paint job can do for aesthetics.