We manage a commercial property (retail, multi-tenant) and had a fitness tenant (a franchisee) who went dark late 2019 so we terminated the lease (they still owe us 3 months of rent). 

There will be lots of things you disagree about from the color of a bathroom to which contractor/property manager/and on and on and on. 

The potential buyers have asked us if they decide to buy are they able to pick the cabinets, granite, tile, finishes, and paint color.

Put yourself on their skins.. would you complain?

The place i posted above had some right out front, pretty sure they were less than 300$ they were pretty bright colors though. 

They want to ensure you have some "skin in the game". 

In my mind, you missed the two most important factors.Especially if you do not understand multifamily investing well, the most important thing to know is that the deal syndicator has a lot of skin in the game and that their returns are maximized when yours are as well. 

But maybe you refinance out of that loan quickly into another after the build is complete and you can realize equity (ideally 20%'ish).I'd also recommend putting on the lot, maybe between the duplexes a small laundry (make money vs having laundry in units) but build it out nice as a sort of community gathering place for your student renters.This is just a quick idea I have been noodling for the last 2 days and no skin off my back to share.

Colour vs color. 

So not even law believe in that.If you rent an apartment and keep it closed 36 months, even not living there, color will fade, carpet will smell and on...On the other hand, i feel for the landlord.