My suggestions: 1) Try adding some electric lights to the cedar wall and fireplace and 2) Don't paint the brick fireplace.For 1), maybe add something like a single-tube fluorescent fixture, or an LED strip light, at the top of the cedar wall or fireplace brick, shining down.  

Put in bright fluorescent lights and you have a welcoming laundry area, hopefully as bug free as possible.Those are general guidelines that hopefully you can apply to your specific situation.Nina

I would need to live in the apartment throughout renovations, so not sure how that affects things.Looking for NYC specific advice and recommendations.I am looking to:- remove wood paneling from plaster walls- redo floors in whole apartment - wood floors and tile- redo kitchen- redo bathroom- remove drop ceiling in living room and kitchen- remove old fluorescent light fixture and add new fixture- add electric socket and/or gas for washer/dryer- repair saggy deck off back of apartment and add stairs to backyard- replace front door frame- paint whole apartmentI have been told on BP to assume $20,000 per unit for renovations like this... does this seem accurate?

I couldn't stand the concept of having to use fluorescent lighting even in the middle of the day just to see what I was doing in the bathroom.

Everything before and during the retreat is cleaned with green products [which also are healthier for NTs', and your prospective renters might like to know you do this as well] There is no fluorescent lighting.  

I hate the builder fluorescent fixtures that are always there.

Have some heating installed (electric with diverting fan is fine) because it can get chilly in Chicago.Install fluorescent/led lights (be sure this will be powered by the 'house' meter, so keep your expenses down). 

I keep some fluorescent tape around the adapter to make it fit into the Gerber bit strip I keep it in.While the Leatherman flat bits are nice, I'm not paying $20 and up for a set when I can get regular 1/4 in. bits in a fear greater variety.I will never trust the pliers on a full-size multitool again after mine snapped on me way back when.

Put up about 25 cheap fluorescent cardstock bandit signs on every corner within a mile radius of the house.

Heck, the agent probably couldn't be 100% sure, but the basement had all it's windows blacked out, blacked walls, fluorescent lights, security cameras around the property (this was in a very nice neighborhood), and a weird Purple Light at the front door.Oh, and another tip, besides doubling checking the disclosure forms, always put them online!!!