My very simple question is... what is a better use of the money? 

If your idea more complicated than a simple informational site you should probably hire a web developer. 

While I do not know the Baltimore market, I wanted to add a simple tip that has worked well for me, and even more pertinent if you are planning on self managing:Ask yourself "would I live here?" 

If you're hiding just that simple fact, you aren't comfortable enough with what you're doing, and that's a problem. 

While I may not have been able to buy a place at 19, I would have been able to go to real estate meet ups, maybe get my license and do some contracting work on the side doing something simple with low barrier to entry such as paint or flooring work

References:David WilliamsREDACTEDRay Lollis REDACTEDEdward ThomasREDACTEDI was okay..and with a simple google search, you can tell that it was a scam.

Just for the simple fact is you are inexperienced with all of this (Not a bad thing), it would be horrible for you to get burned on the deal.

Anyone have any INEXPENSIVE and simple suggestions as far as making the house look/feel more inviting?

Simple slip ups like this will just waste everyone's time and ultimately lose a client. 

. :)  The point was: even us tax professionals who do it for a living and for many years do not have what you ask for - a simple yes/no answer.