Anyway, for me, I would expect to pay a 'service' to manage all of that process probably at some set hourly rate since some owners might want to pick their own furniture, some might want you to pick it, some might want to do permitting or rehab themselves or want you to do it. 

At this time I turn on and off the outdoor water supply.

. - In my experience power will be shut off but will be resumed without payment in circumstances involving families/children, elderly, people with medical conditions, outdoor temp influences, etc.

All's missing are some furniture

Some of their furnishings could be rentals from furniture store like Aarons/rent-a-center and not subject to seizure in the first place since they are leased items.

While you are in there, you can expect to pay your PITI ($1254), sock away 10% of gross rents into a maintenance account, sock away 10% of gross rents into a cap ex account, pay the water bill, pay the electric bill (since I'm assuming there is common space & outdoor lighting, lets just say this will be $70/month), and that's it pretty much.  

But, since the furniture is considered to be a capital expense for the business that is the rental property, is there anything that is usable there for offsetting gains on the sale?

I think most of us would agree when he advises against the too-common problem in America of borrowing money for things you don't really need, like a luxury car,  new furniture, vacations, etc. and getting yourself into debt.

It is all about the first few pictures you have and furniture can help attract people's eyes.

I have a neighbor who buys furniture at garages sales, cleans it up, paints it and adds modern hardware to make it look better.