@Matt McGuireTough call, but if it isn't positive cash flow it will eat a hole in your wallet over time.

If there was ever a guy who has absolutely no idea about rehabs and fixing houses its me but i had to deal with pesky squirrels and flashed my roof and started with small changes like painting kitchen cabinets to white and painting the hardware and man just that made a difference.I am debt free, no car payment and analyzing deals everyday.

For those interested, https://submetersolutions.com/ has a package of wired or wireless hardware and service.

I acquired the property and complely remodeled ( new floors, new granite, paint, bathrooms, tiled chimney, hardware, doors, sinks and furnishing.)

And my all-time favorite for the kitchen, if the cabinet boxes are good, have them painted (make sure to seal the paint with a good dewaxed shellac or polyurethane) and fit new door and drawer hardware for buck or two apiece. 

I’m ok spending a bit on hardware upfront, but want to avoid a large monthly fee.Thanks!

For example, a quick "back of the napkin" conceptual estimate (WAG) suggests the following:Appliances (dishwasher, refrigerator, stove, hood):  $3,500Kitchen sink, disposal and faucet:  $500 (material only)Kitchen hardware:  $200 (material only)Kitchen cabinet restoration:  $3,000Kitchen countertop restoration:  $1,500Plank flooring:  $3.50/SF x 2,000 SF = $7,000 (material only)Electrical rehabilitation (including light fixtures):  $4,000Plumbing rehabilitation (including toilets, faucets & shower):  $3,000Bathroom tile (2 baths):  $5,000  New roof:  $10,000New siding:  $6,000Paint (outside):  $4,000Paint (inside):  $5,000Staging: $1,650TOTAL:  $54,350This estimate does not consider any cost associated with building permits or design professionals. 

Nothing a pet store carried was going to be strong enough, so he got the appropriately sized chains from a hardware store instead. 

You'll be better prepared, you'll have less heart ache and you won't have to deal with the struggles of some management company that thinks what they did is "good enough" while you're taking a beating in the wallet and possibly overseas. 

I have spent many years improving houses as a licensed contractor and really all you should worry about is making the place look clean and safe but let the new owners use their imagination and especialy their wallets to create the environment around the house they prefer.