We owned a 2 bed 1 bath that we purchased in 2006 and shortly after buying it we learned from the city records that the 200 SF bonus room was not a legal addition and the walls were basically poorly mortared cinder block on a concrete floor that was covered up with drywall to make it appear like a finished space.

The world of credit card sign up bonuses is extremely broad and deep (too deep to go into detail in this post) but you should be able to hit multiple minimum spend requirements (MSRs) and receive significant bonus value. 

That $4100 rebate I would have made as a commission was a nice bonus.

;<) Bonus: 1031x replaced it with property in Wa!

Also maybe offer $100 signing bonus to incentive someone since it's not exactly done yet.

With the new laws you get bonus depreciation upfront which is magical.

You'll have to go to some smaller local carpet/flooring stores, and discuss what's immediately available and can they get it done immediately.You may have to offer a bonus for timely completion, OR you may offer to put up the new tenants a night at a local, clean motel.  

Bingo, bonus Cash!

Yes top end of market is where the higher leverage and higher concentration of discretionary income (Wall Street bonuses, high tech stock options), so it takes a hit first....

One thing I will add is that the “substantial improvement” part of the law - aimed at development / redevelopment - is especially interesting because you can do a cost segregation study / bonus depreciate parts of your property in connection with meeting the substantial improvement stipulation.