If you need to make some design improvements - have the furniture ordered the day or closing and the photographer soon thereafter.

Here are a few brainstorming ideas:Outdoor LivingMust have potential for high-impact features like fire pits, hot tubs, dining areas, or outdoor games to significantly boost appeal.Views & ProximityProperties with desirable views or close proximity to water, nature, or main attractions offer an enhanced guest experience.Premium Interior FeaturesPotential for dedicated game rooms, high-speed Wi-Fi, or comfortable dedicated workspaces to cater to diverse guest needs.Easy ParkingAdequate and convenient parking for the expected guest group size is critical for convenience and securing 5-star reviews.Garage to Game Room ConversionIf driveway parking is plentiful, converting a garage into a functional game room or extra living space offers amazing added value.Noise & Light AbatementEnsuring quiet enjoyment of the property through noise reduction measures enhances guest comfort and prevents issues with neighbors.

Since you bought the property in December 2024, your components fall under the old schedule, meaning 40% bonus depreciation applies in 2025.You’re right that building structure doesn’t qualify, but items from a cost segregation study (like appliances, flooring, furniture, and landscaping) still do, just at the 40% rate.So even though your placed-in-service date is May 2025, the purchase date controls eligibility for 100%.

We do some outdoor storage (no room for indoor storage), but storage is absolutely a great business and really needed.

If they push back, you can offer an outdoor smoking area with clear boundaries & rent still increased, but otherwise, it’s time to plan that rehab now rather than later because the longer you wait, the higher the cost gets.

I have several pieces of furniture leftover from mom and dad (grandfather clock, solid maple table, display hutch, etc). 

I structure leases as furnished, that way I can flex to STR during peak seasons and not have to move any furniture to storage.

Furniture stored and used outdoors should be outdoor furniture, not indoor upholstered items.Steps (front and rear) and sidewalks: should be clean, and free of hazards.

Something that we value tremendously (regardless of the appraisers opinion ) and are working on adding an off grid hot tub, outdoor sauna with water side jungle-gym.

Unless you have a perfectly flat floor, the floating floor is going to flex as people walk on it, put furniture on it, etc, and the worse true your floor is the better that locking system has to be to keep the planks from coming apart.