Fully renovated house and proper or high end furnishings later on will generate influence and keep household happy. In the long run you'll do well with having things tip top shape. If you're in early game and when in fights, try take out the males first, if you have decent gear smack down the females with a blunt weapon and cap alive, trading them off. Or have them join household and go to a auction, may get you a little more early on, they only cost in beginning with little benefit from keeping the randoms. Special encounters/quests the ones to focus on if wanting keepers, later on you can spend time training and improving them but weeks and weeks for 9-12k sale vs 1-2k instant, rinse repeat, i think quick sales better all over.