(soap, water, beer, food, welcome items).

For example, we provide all shared supplies (trash bags, dish soap, etc) so that the roommates don't fight over who's turn it is to buy supplies.

We don't manage in Seattle, but can definitely point you in the right direction to get you going with everything except sourcing the soap and towels haha.

Doesn't quite work out to be a wash because CA usually has higher tax rates so if you earned $2,000 in SC you probably paid a much lower rate... say $50 in taxes but in CA the tax on $2,000 is probably more like $180, but you would only get a credit for $50 so CA still essentially taxes that $2,000 in some fashion. 

::steps off soap box::For the record my first property was a live in renovation as well...took me 6 years to buy my second property.

The tenants have not complained, but I have noticed that it flushes very slow, has no 'power' to the flush, and you sometimes need to flush multiple times to get it to go down if there is anything but liquid in it.Well then the other day the tenant sends me some pictures of the toilet filling up with soap bubbles.

In order to avoid conflicts among strangers he offers untraditional amenities: monthly house cleaning; monthly restocks of consumables like dish soap, paper towels, TP etc; free utilities and so on.

Tenants love to talk about their building, their landlord, the neighborhood - it's like a mini soap opera but packed with info you would not otherwise have access to.

(gourd decorating, scarecrows in fall, etc. spring flower, soap making or ?)

Bathrooms get outfitted like people live there...shower curtains, towels, soaps, toothbrush holder, lotion dispenser all in coordinating color scheme.