Different markets will heat up and decline at different times.

No matter what else Peoria offers, it would not score close to #1 with me based on the summer heat.  

This type of tenant rarely calls the police on a landlord, and the police have better things to do.Providing a basic, sanitary, safe roof over their head, with heat, and a place to cook for a reasonable price, is not being a slumlord.  

In addition, look in Attleboro.Acquisition prices are lower, and so are the rents - but I frequently see MFRs that meet the 1% and even 2% rule.Check the crime heat maps on Trulia to get a feel for the neighborhoods.BTW, New Bedford has done a really nice job cleaning up the waterfront. 

it varies widely per state...in florida I am basically only required to provide a dwelling that has heat...AC not even required by law.

Hi everyone, we're considering putting mini splits in our Boston unit for AC only (heat is natural gas).

Like upgraded electrical, heating, ventilating, air conditioning, plumbing, ADA, etc...Where this comes into play is if say a tenant of one apartment unit sets his unit on fire, burns it up and now you have to go in to rebuild his unit. 

I use Proudfoot Plumbing Heating and Air out of West Homestead.

The current landlord pays heating(boiler for both units) and electric on one.

@Cameron Belknap FHA loan rules in HUD 4000.1 mention not counting the basement as part of the Gross Living Area; however, part of the FHA requirements found in HUD 4000.1 includes a section on “converted spaces” which states:“The Appraiser must treat room additions and garage conversions as part of the GLA of the dwelling, provided that the addition or conversion space…is accessible from the interior of the main dwelling in a functional manner; has a permanent and sufficient heat source… and was built in keeping with the design, appeal, and quality of construction of the main dwelling.”Furthermore,“The Appraiser must analyze and report differences in functional utility when selecting comparable properties of similar total GLA that do not include converted living space.