I would also look for reviews, licensing, and communication.

Those rate ranges all sound fair. 

Once you start changing the rules because you get good or bad vibes from a potential tenant, you can get yourself in serious hot water and end up in court for a fair housing violation. 

Again, i might be wrong but I've done my fair share of transactions across dozens of states (NY included) and a seller concession has always been interpreted as a seller's contribution to the buyers closing costs or principal purchase amount. 

What's a fair amount, well that depends on what this is actually costing you in terms of actual expenses plus the time and hassle involved.

I'm working towards Energy Star in my new 4 unit build because it's fairly easy to get slightly above code and cheap to have the raters come and certify you with the Energy Star label which would add value for the tenants especially for people with alergies or aesthma. 

More importantly, Paramount (Prestige Fund), a large player in the industry has stopped distributions and communication is awful. 

Personally I prefer investing locally in my own markets (I invest in about a 75 mile radius but would still consider up to about a 2 hour drive to be fairly local).

I’m fairly rural.

@Don KonipolI think that is a fair statement.