Multi-family property with vestibule and front lawn

[James Schmidt]

I'm looking at purchasing a quadraplex. It is a 2 story building and has 3 x 1/1 apartments and a single 2/2.  It's a beautiful building, but needs some work (not a problem). I've looked over the books of the current owner and they are spending a lot on cleaning the vestibule and mowing the front lawn. Now, I would initially purchase this property and live in one of the units for the first few years which would allow me to take care of that myself. When I decide to move on, this "no-man's land" becomes an extra bill that eats a few hundred dollars away from earnings every month! 

I have considered xeriscaping the front lawn to reduce maintenance, but what about the vestibule? I find that part of the property concerning, knowing that once I move away I will need to hire regular service to keep the landing and indoor staircase clean. Since all the apartments are accessed from this indoor area, I'm not sure if that makes the property a flop when I move out. Has anyone seen something similar to this?