So we were charged about $250 more than usual.

Of course they are going to have bad credit or they would be looking in a better area.Another thing you may want to consider to drive more applications is to not charge the application fee.

Rehab contractor charged $10K, the online report says $16K.

The power company supplied and installed the new meters (at no charge, at least not yet) and verified all the work around the 4 gang meter pan was done up to their standards.

One thing you might think of doing is having and promoting your own website to avoid the exhorbitant fees charged by the third party sites such as Expedia, Booking.com and Air BnB.  

My general contractor told me to charge her a $400/month pet fee for four months –which would allow me to save up $1,600 to cover damages- and then give her 30 days notice in May when it will be warmer and faster to fill a unit.

Keep in mind, you are NOT in charge!  

Typically people charging for that service are doing it because they need the money...if you catch my drift. 

The guests have a credit card on file and your policy should allow you to charge for damages or excessive cleaning.

If you see work crews reaching out, ask the person in charge of securing housing where they go looking.