Every bedroom has a comfy bed, a 3" lavender infused memory foam topper, extra blankets and linens, a desk (with a mirror. 

This takes the maximum amount of time but for example I can furnish a bedroom for $200-300 with a full/queen mattress, and foundation/boxspring, attractive wooden or metal bed frame, tall dresser, long dresser with mirror, nightstand.

Especially if that person has a contract that they are capable of closing and plan on closing.I like @Michael Ealy's taken on it personally, that closely mirrors how I feel about it.

When it can be done, I try to sign a new short-term lease once closed with mirroring terms as to what everyone has already verbally agreed to. 

One more joke on this thread:A wife is naked in front of the mirror and says to her husband, "honey I feel fat and ugly, give me a compliment..."

Many features of how a person uses his or her body can be matched without the person consciously noticing, but this mirroring of physiology will have a subconscious effect on their impression of you.

It's the smoke and mirrors sales tactics, and just their dishonesty in general.

You are way ahead of me, so I cannot offer any good advice here - I am on my first rental and see a good four more years ahead of me (which closely mirrors your timeline) - but would like to hear more about how you managed to get to 17 properties free and clear.

The last thing she used him for was a "earthquake resistant" install of a large mirror. 

Consider updating the faucet, sink, toilet, or mirror.