many of the big institutional buyers do have age limits.. and that usually is homes that were not built with lead paint at all.but in a lot of markets especially big east cost upper mid west housing stock is old you have no choice,.

A finished garage, perhaps with the wall painted, looks much different than a raw concrete monolith.

I would also get a fresh coat of paint on that wood siding and plant some nice shrubs and flowers along the entire width (under all the windows around the front of the house) and freshen up that landscaping - it is the very first thing people will see when they pull up.

I obviously need to get into the unit, probably put a coat of paint on at the least, and get it rented as soon as possible.  

That’s his way to be a star.....not by ripping off clients and co-brokers

I'm sure you will run into situations where you need an expert so have help on deck but demo, painting, dry wall repairs, easy stuff can be done by you!

So I'm not ripping on RE agents or brokers WHATSOEVER, in fact I will likely become one in Illinois in the future.

You could save tons simply staining/sealing floors and painting.  

You’re in a desirable area, so you have that going for you if you decide to pull the rip cord.

If you have $25K to put to use, best to use it on kitchen/bathroom remodels, landscaping, fresh paint, hardwood or similar floors instead of carpet, etc.