You seem to be relying on second-hand stories to form a narrative that doesn’t hold water.

An IRS lien, code violations (weed abatement, grass cutting, boarding windows-doors, and demolition costs), HOA fees, water- sewer bills all go along with the property providing the property has any of these. 

Right now we are seeing land taking some decent hits (especially what your selling) as disposable income is down and a lot of this land really has no way to be built upon because it lacks any source of water.

Even back then there were a lot of high rise hotels where you could get a decent condo-style room with hot water, cable tv etc for really cheap ($15-20USD/night).

We don't want to leverage it for the sake of leveraging it, but we are sort of treading water. 

If it was municipal water, I would bill the tenant back because the cost would be variable based on usage. 

There is so much variance of tax rates, insurance rates, should the house have a basement, foundation issues, do I need a 1in copper water line or is pex better for the climate, etc.

This is probably the path of least resistance all the way across the board. 

Water intrusion may be an issue.    

I want them to see what it looks like to take a shot and they've got to see me speak on TV & stage, win awards & praise and they've seen me come home of stories of dead bats falling out of ceilings, cleaning up dog crap in dark basement corners, sucking out water from flooded basements for hours, bloodied, bruised, ect. ect. ect. and now be served with papers.