I recently looked at a duplex and wanted to get some thoughts on if these items should be factored into the offer price:The water heaters were over 10 years old, both gas furnaces were over 10 years old, the water was not separately metered, the front porch (cement) had some cracks in it, and both units would need some paint and new carpeting. 

It's an oil/gas/agri town about 2 hours from a major center.

You did not specify electric or gas or the size of the unit by I use them often because:-For smaller units they are cheaper and easy to install-Take up very little space-Are efficientThe negatives:-May require a breaker reconfigure as the usually require 2 30amp breakers-In bigger properties with a long run say to the other side of the house, it takes a minute or 2 to heat up

Heat is natural gas.

Gas that car up to get driving toward success(I wont let electric cars ruin this metaphor)!

Interested in hearing some answersI know timber, gas, and mineral rights...Im just not sure how to go about this

However it's zoned as a duplex with the city(has 2 gas meters, 2 furnaces, 2 waterheaters). 

I invest out of state so I've wasted a lot of gas checking out properties first only to have my offers be beaten out.

I’d recommend using the credit cards at least minimally, say for gas and or groceries, and pay them off every month (or every week) to show activity.

Remember to use this bank account for business expenses such as meals, car repairs, gas, tolls, business travel, home office expenses, and other items used in your business (i.e., iPad, laptop, etc.).