He will supply the financing and I will everything else.

If you are really going to settle on this property - you could ask the owner to give them a 60 day notice of rent increase - send this notice effect September 1st, (don't miss this mailing) raise the rent to the number you want - if the tenant agrees to accept the rent increase - great - if not - you would be in a position to eviction them based on the non-payment of the increase or they will just move - you may want to say in that increase rent notice that there are plans to improve their living conditions, supply new appliances and whatever you plan to do.Do this will help get what you want without vacancies and still have a tenant who will be happy to comply to the increase.Cash flow is King - don't kill the King.Charles

Even in buildings with landlord supplied heat they all have their own gas meters.

That business will be able to guide some of the financial information, and will also be able to supply me with an abundance of referrals for contractors, electricians, etc.Current finances:110k income between my fiancé and I.

A broker told me last week that rentals in Hoboken is softening due to increased supply (e.g., completion of new constructions coming to markets with incentives for renters), and he expects rental price to stagnate or decline a little in the foreseeable future. 

New constructions are going left and right at the moment on my way to work everyday to supply that demand.  

Getting a referral from a fellow investor is OK, however that contractor may be good for the referee, but could be not so good for someone else.Contractors are special individuals - they too are chasing the buck and trying to get the best deal possible.You may want to write specifications  of what you want done - once you know what you want you can better compare bids from workman.I have found that meeting real people with real tools at a time they are buying supplies and materials at Home Depot 5:30 - 6 am picking up stuff to do their daily work is sometimes an effective way to find the craftsman you are looking for at a price that will serve you well.Getting referrals is OK - but how do you know that they didn't over-charge the person who is referring you to them?

There is a lot more demand and not nearly as much supply. 

Granted, there are other factors that are causing a population boom and supply is tight, so I believe prices will continue to rise steadily.

I made a quick list and set off to home depot for supplies.