Follow the same approach for other types of commercial you think there may be missing.If the project looks feasible the next step is to check zoning with the city or county to determine how many units you can get, what is required for all approvals including parking requirements, site plan and building permits, proffers, water/sewer tap fees, bonding requirements, inspections and CO process and time frame for all approvals.You also need to check with the utility companies and get an idea of availability and cost estimates from them for water, sewer, power, gas, cable, installation and connection requirements, tap fees, hookup charges, transformer location and relocation, power line and power pole relocation issues.Check to see if you have to install any manholes, fire hydrants, curb, gutter, sidewalks, street signs, street lighting any specific street design or access requirements,.Check DOT requirements for access, stop lights and permits, traffic studiesDWQ requirements for permits, permit fees, time framesThis is a broad overview of the process and your civil engineer can handle all of this but it's good for you to know exactly what's required.

Lunch that you buy instead of making, the same with most or all of your meals, car payment over $200 because you put NO down payment, rent or mortgage that is over $1000, cable bill, buying little things that you dont need.You will only realize how much you spend if you write it all down for 1 month.

now back out 600 for rent back out 200 for utls cable etc. back that leaves your tenant with 1000 a month before any tax's taken out.. to pay for car  gas  insurance clothing food kiddos dog dog food.etc etc.. you can see why the 600 dollar renter by and large is one flat tire from missing rent.. or say Christmas comes around.. now lets take the 1200 dollar renter run the same math.. 3X  3600 a month to qualify.. 1400 for rent and utls. leaves 2,200 a month to live on etc.. or double the stability.. this is why the risk is so high.. 

It doesn't cost more to heat a house if there are one vs two people in it, same with internet or cable. 

How influential are electrical outlets and cable jacks for selling/renting units?

But I end up paying about half that amount to the management company , utilities, cable, internet, inspections, maintenance, taxes, insurance etc.

IE – Pest control and electricity, cable/internet.

While you have to be aware of this and financially plan for them, there are several "pros" that balance out these "cons".First lets start with the "con" of an HOAUsually this fee will include things like lawncare, water, trash, cable and insurance of the structure. 

My lease states that electricity, water, internet, cable, phone, etc are NOT included in the rent and must be paid for directly by the tenant to the service provider.

Hopefully you will find metal jacketed cable that holds the copper within it, and the copper will be coated with a rubber/plastic, and not cloth and tar.