I am about to start a new rehab project and was thinking about adding some sort of security system in it to monitor who is coming in and out of the house and overall security.

I would recommend monitoring the BiggerPockets events near Augusta to see if anyone is hosting an event in your area.

Depending on the town/city, the only concern really with increased residential rentals is the wear on infrastructure.

Is there any way to monitor washer usage besides separate metering?

If you go over a certain value or percentage on the rehab funds, you must pay to have a consultant monitor the flip and handle payments.

You don't need credit or cash to do that.If you dont have credit karma, you should sign up, so you can monitor your credit regularly.

It will take you probably a year or so (if you are good) to get that ranked high.There is a lot you can do right now to set up the infrastructure of your business.

But with the VRBO renters, it doesn't appear that I have that sort of flexibility to write in the utility contingency.I'm considering putting in a NEST thermostat in the house and a remote pool pump monitor so I can keep an eye on where renters have set the temps?  

It seems they check for visual, electrical, moisture, mold and gas.If it really is that simple than soft inspections can be done much cheaper and faster and more often by a trusted but non - certified joint venture partner.While I'm in the area I can do a demographic, a title, and a infrastructure forecast search.

You could also make it a smart house in which you can see if someone is there and monitor the AC, turning it off when it isn't rented right through your cell phone, etc.