I guess I didn't explain how badly I have been wanting out of California but I kept putting it on the back burner because of my 9-5.

I would say that my experience is that overall I like it better by a long shot than staying in a hotel - I actually hate hotels -  and I'm not really that picky so things like wore-out furniture and burners that don't work on a stove don't really bother me (though they would bother my wife).

How much more desirable is it if I add a kitchenette (sink, food prep area, two burner stove) and on-site laundry?

Retired LEO now living in TN.I've flipped a few houses through the years and have a couple of new opportunities on the burner. 

Yes - it's a gnarly idea but I have my own stove burner so will stay ~75 in the Winter.

Both are 35+ years old, but have been well maintained and burners replaced within last 2 years.

It's easy for a contractor to justify picking up an "easy money" job and putting yours on the back burner if they know you aren't checking up on it regularly.

You want to be sure your GC is attentive/responsive to you and doesn’t put your project on the back-burner.

Over a 3 month period, the chlorine caused the sink, the faucet, the stove burners, and all the metal utensils to become covered with surface rust. 

I didn't,I got super busy for a couple of weeks and put it on the back burner.