What comes first questions are always two sided and can be answered that a lot of steps happen simultaneously.For example, don't spend too much time researching a business name, logo, or anything visual that can be changed.

I could have focused the rehab on market trends and functionality of the home instead of my likings.

BC after cleaning comes paint and flooring and major visual progress.

Please be sure that we can access those areas for a visual inspection.

I got lucky with mine (first one and planning on more) But now that I've been in it and go to functions/networking events and am a member of AHCA/attend their events you can find plenty for sale that way.  

I took a bit less than they had paid for the property across teh alley even though mine was a much better property - fully functional and habitable - the one across the alley was not such - but by that point the market on townhouses had started to cool.   

If the wires are all there and functioning and you can mark where the jacks would be (photo of the room with an x) saved in a file then you may as well leave the wiring just in case a potential buyer wants them.Internet wiring if it is there could be beneficial to place boosters and or allow people to wire in smart tv's or whatever fun devices they come out with in the next decade.

Construction of 4 new apartments in a functionally obsolete historic building.

I'm now trying tenant cloud and really like the interface and functionality so far, but might give another a look since I have to advertise one of my properties soon.

This particular contractor sounds like the kind of guy that likes to be the general and guide the process, rather than play the part of a sub, functioning at the beck and call of the GC.