In a few instances, we have even ventured into "built-in" furniture - mostly in rooms into which it is difficult to move furniture (lofts, basements, rooms with odd shapes/dimensions).  

I have a ton of furniture and possessions and I'm quite dismayed about what to do. 

No worries I am the same way in that I would want my rentals to be nice enough for me to live in but at end of day its still a business and sometimes I have to tell myself that.For example last weekend while I was at HomeDepot they had a sale in sensor lighting for outdoor.

don't fall in love, don't personalize. we built equity and sold it quickly by staging with our own furniture.

If a tenant disappears and leaves furniture, etc, behind, you can't simply trash the stuff.

I'd consider getting rid of or restricting outdoor faucets.

Also depending on how much stuff (furniture etc...) you already have and how much you like it I would also advice getting a storage unit close by and keeping everything there until the rehab is done.

Started a post on this today:http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/87/topics/92730-app-that-tracks-outdoor-marketing-bandit-signsfinallyNo more guesswork involved with putting up signs...it's all documented in realtime online with this tool (time, location, and an actual picture of the sign).

Opened it up, found a cracked joist. i was alarmed, but wrote it off to maybe a waterbed upstairs or heavy piece of furniture dropped. today, I find three more in the basement.

Also, installment loans like buying furniture on credit really don't help much, as they are not revolving accounts.