Point out to the appraiser items that are new or of especially good quality, as well as unique features that might improve it's value.

I would also need to find an agent to work with, so if anyone has any recommendations for quality agents that they would recommend that would be very helpful. 

Definitely visit and meet the provider in person to check out the quality, operation, and people.

If you really are planning a small community, I would first try to determine if there is an outside lender or lenders who might make the loans to your buyers, or if your customer credit quality is too low, look at a couple of legal joint venture relationships you might explore.

I use good quality faucets and toilets.

I also like the idea of having someone onsite because my impression is they have more interest in picking quality tenants.

I cannot speak to the quality of anything or anyone referenced herein, but it's a place to start.

Tons of bad weather, high insurance costs, high maintenance, tenant quality kinda sucks compared to midwest.Not a fan of texas right now.  

If those cabinets have good boxes (i.e. plywood) and you want to save costs, you could re-face them (or maybe even repaint).Alternatively, if you replace the cabinets, I would look for ones with good quality boxes that you could reface down the road.  

Good quality work for a great price.