I hate when big corps screw people especially customers.

Because that's what the customer expects.

I know this, cause I have worked in many places where customers were providing personal information (including SSN) in the course of doing business.

Your customers don't care what you think.

If you're going to do higher-end rehabs, there are some other options, but at that point you're getting into custom materials, hardware and trim.

I think you might find some pretty good customized solutions by visiting the google play/chrome store or the apple itunes store and download something.

If you're doing a more custom home where the buyers likely have their own appliances (or plenty of disposable income to purchase the appliances they want), you might have a different perspective.

2) the two custodians I am looking at are Sunwest Trust and Equity Trust, which of these two is the better all-round option, for ease of transactions, fees, customer service, etc.

It sounds like you're uncertain about firing him because he worked so hard to evict the tenants and deal with the power company and attorneys etc.This is like patting a McDonald's clerk on the back because he deals with the customers even though he's taking money out of the register.The bottom line is HE is the one that got a crappy tenant into the building and HE is the one that should have to deal with it.

Most use a custom one that heavily favors the wholesaler.