This is not the utility company's responsibility.Your lease should state the tenant is responsible for maintaining utilities.

With regard to renovations, I always suggest taking incremental steps to bigger renovations or partnering with someone who has already done a renovation at that level.I've been known to just go for the big rehabs for my personal investments here in Chicago , and during that process, it's always more stressful than it needs to be...As far as navigating the competition, I've found the best thing I can do is get EXTREMELY CLEAR  on what I am looking for; then I am confident pulling the trigger quicky. 

We just have to follow along.

Just take the week and tally how many times people use the word "feel".

I'd check local STR FB groups and see if you have a local Real Estate Club.You can offer your services there, maybe for free in exchange for the experience.

The houses are just a commodity. 

Maricopa County ranked among the counties in the state with the highest number of foreclosure filings.

@Dmitriy Fomichenko, follow-on question on this topic.

I was thinking that the very thin hard carpet could serve as a sound insulation layer, and just installing click together LVP right over the thin carpet and the thin hard stick on tiles. 

Here's a good breakdown of your options for tax collecting starting Feb 1 based on the new regulations.