I would choose something that fits the local area - or colorful is always a good choice.

What surprises have you run into once the walls came down?

There seem to be multiple cracks in the walls of all the rooms.

I typically go for a modern look in my houses and it goes with the trend - grey walls, stained wood, white doors and either stainless or black fixtures.

A pro photographer with HDR settings can transform the feel.Staging: Even small changes—like removing extra furniture or using light-colored bedding—can make spaces look bigger and more modern.Vintage Details: Highlight them intentionally—buyers love “character” when it’s framed as a feature rather than a flaw.The Cranes Wall Art: Right now, the cranes are visually memorable, but for the wrong reason—it’s a very specific taste.

The dog jumped up on the toilet and bit into the window blinds, jumped on the toilet paper holder breaking it off the wall, and scratched up the paint on the door and frame trying to get out. 

Just scroll to the bottom of your listing link and you can see 4 places that are quite a bit nicer for under $1500.You are offering small 900sqft with an original kitchen, only ONE bathroom that is dated and has no counter space, an interior that is a mix of finishes and colors, tile ceiling, super basic light fixtures, no garage and a totally overgrown yard - all of that screams total neglect.

Lots of rosy colored glasses in this industry and people telling me how safe Real Estate investing is.  

@Kelly Schroeder What is the "wall of conventional financing"? 

Hey James,Builders don’t push HOAs because they’re worried about buyers loving fees—they do it because HOAs protect the long-term value of the whole subdivision, which makes their job selling homes easier.Here’s why:Property values stay consistentHOAs enforce rules about lawn care, paint colors, parking, etc.That means the house someone bought for $450K doesn’t end up next to one with a car on blocks in the yard six months later.Builders can hand off responsibilitiesRoads, stormwater ponds, shared amenities—without an HOA, the city might not maintain them, so the builder would be stuck.HOA takes that off their plate.Financing gets easierLenders often like HOAs because they reduce risks tied to neighborhood upkeep, especially on big new developments.Price opticsDropping the HOA doesn’t feel like a “discount” to most buyers; lowering the sale price does.