Chris Yeakel here - I’m in the beginning stages of real estate investing and targeting multi-family commercial with my wife (currently a property manager) and my dad (commercial real estate investor/manager).

Or maybe good pics/staging.

In my stage of REI (although as you see some don't call it investing) I am only interested in flipping.

But you need to figure out which strategy best fits your talents, goals, stage in life, etc. 

I think places sell best when they are spotless and staged.

But at our stage of the game, it’s about being bankable.  

@Karen Margrave, another idea could be to stage it for sale.  

I am definitely in a delicate stage as a newbie to REI. 

I also get three quotes for the work ( I still look into to the vendors and don't just accept the lowest quote) once done, I say yes or no to the work.I get multiple photo angles at various stages of the work being completed and final photos of the work once completed, If satisfied from the pics and the PM inspection of the work, I authorize payment for the work.

Ive now built up my speaking skills to get to speak on many stages about real estate as well as how we created our group and community!