Have your advertising look like the advertising they should expect to their tenant clients..

I am undecided but if there is going to be a dishwasher I will throw in a disposer.(5) Countertop choices - what is the best material for the buck besides laminate?

I wouldn't risk advertising it on Craigslist because of the criminal element.

If they said it's common for the area I'd stick to market rents.You can call your local housing authority and see what they say about it.Look at comparable properties and rents advertised, are theirs lower due to the heaters?

The best move-in special is something that adds value to the apt too (i.e. a cutting board so they don't scuff up your counters or a ceiling fan installed in a room)- find somewhere else to advertise your rents (from another BP post I learned about rentlinx.com and it's a great tool I use every day)- do a resident referral program - give them money (that is less than the lowered-rent option over course of a year) for someone they refer who signs a 12-month lease- crazy tip but always have your rent prices end in a $9 - there's a lot of studies that support this and you get the most out of your rent as possibleAt the end of the day, if your rent is way higher than everything around you then you'll simply have to lower it.

Is the $12K mostly materials?

And it just so happens that the seller happens to see his/her property being advertise somewhere with the impression that I already currently have it under contract?

This is someone who isn't technically a GC, but who can deal with the day-to-day management of the project, can hire/fire contractors, can manage schedule and budget, can deal with materials, etc.  

There are certain expectations as far as finish materials granite or quartz counters, semi custom cabinets, gas stainless kitchens real hardwoods, under mount sinks or vessel's.

(including labor and material).