I would be more likely to factor the utilities right into the rent and keep their rent a flat monthly amount.

Problem is the equipment wears down over the years and starts looking old and the owners do not allocate for the cool factor reimaging and putting new equipment in to boost sales up. 

most lenders  will  utilize the  schd E rental income average  method  for  including rental  income for  qualifying ...if the  proeprty is  recenlty  purchase the  vacancy factor  approach is used 

It will be a factor if other aspects are not adhered to but if it is the only one not very likely.

Perhaps it's fair, just because the money-partner made the deal happen in the first place, or there's some other factor that I'm missing.  

Another factor is what the average sale price vs. list price is for the area.

Still not deal breakers, just factor into the cost.

@John CarboneOne factor in my business specifically gas prices have a large impact on is construction overhead.

The complicating factor is that I already own the land where the new property would be built, which would exclude any improvements from 1031 exchanges. 

But when you factor getting rid of the accord debt and insurance , and the money pit chevy .