Some are doing ultra small stores from recycled shipping containers.  

Since I have the luxury of being able to live anywhere I choose (i.e. no kids, no spouse, current job is virtual . . . yeah . . it's a GREAT life!)

Originally posted by @Josh Mitchell: Water, Heat, Gas, pool, common insurance, scavenger, landscaping, elevator, tennis court, basketball court, parking, storage, laundry, clubhouse, snow removal, exterior maitenance, security door locksSome of the items you list will reduce your costs but many just go to pay for luxury items for the tenant.  

This is not a deposit but a fee for simply having the luxury of a pet at the home.  

Impossible to generalize like this...Some are families that just want a safe home and neighborhood for their kids.Some are young and just starting out and want whatever they can afford.Some are young and just starting out and want a cheap place so they can move up/out to their own place.Then there was a recent story in the San Diego paper about people who are paying MASSIVE rent for luxury apts with fire pits, dog runs, on site gyms,  decks, grills etc.

I have been selling real estate in the Atlanta luxury condo market for the last 11 years.  

Also, to keep those carpets and floors clean, we ask people to take off their shoes or use shoe covers that we provide... just like they do on the "Street of Dreams" luxury home builder events!

It's obviously not in the luxury class that would require the real stuff, were folks suggesting the engineered wood or something else all together?

But it can easily take on another $200K to $300K improvements to get to move-in condition for a buyer in the luxury niche market.

Aly, A/C in Michigan is considered a luxury item, not a necessity so I am not obligated to have one.