But I must do a deep clean - like more crumbs under the couch cushions and more laundry with blankets and throws; put the furniture back where it belongs.

Find a location that suits your ideal customer and create a UNIQUE experience for them, whether its the location, the property, the amenities, the decor, the extras you offer, i.e. bottle of wine & chocolates, etc. 

Interest rates are still going up and many development groups have been saying that it's going up so they have a cushion to drop back down to when the correction hits full momentum.

Like the density, gentrification, global travel recognition, varied neighborhood uniqueness, walkability, diversity, etc. that only a walkable, dense and European like city can offer.

A little cushion would be advisable.

Honestly, if something goes wrong it gives me a good cushion.

Owner occupant of a unique three-decker in Worcester.

HOA bylaws are going to be unique to each organization, and can change at any time based on member voting.  

Before you respond with "but I won't want to be a real estate agent," consider that in both your OP and in this post you are merely describing much of the job of a real estate agent ("market and bring a buyer to the table") but proposing a unique commission structure.

It is a epidemic in the US grown out of greed that in many ways is unique to the US.