When redoing this house the two themes I would like to stick with for this home are durability and ease of cleaning.  

I am likely going to include all utilities and internet in the rental price for sake of ease, but I wanted to hear how other people have done it or get feedback on this approach.

I have used this approach with my roommates and it seems to ease the response to "no" and I don't look cheap or a jerk.

In my mind, if interest rates go up and Quantitative Easing is slowed down, maybe there won't be as much money floating around for real estate.   

We also let tenants know we will not be raising rents at this time and that tends to put them at ease.

Time spent listening and talking with people who understood both the risk AND reward put an ease to our spirits when doubts and fear came in.

All hard surface floors and counters are installed for ease of maintenance.

You my dude happen to live in Kansas City so you've got a leg up on the west coasters.You can simply invest in your own town with relative ease & low cost.

(On this particular one, there were other family tensions mentioned that makes me think it's worth putting in the follow up though). 

There are platforms out there that offer to constantly monitor RevPAR, ADR and current market prices and modify, hourly in some instances, but I have never felt this necessary for our pricing system.One of the most beneficial ways any boutique owner can ease their lives is through automation.