The overall value of the deal did not changed, we did not bring any less money to Close ... the fence is still getting replaced (though, according to the contractor not until spring as the ground is now partially frozen) - it's a bylaw requirement, so there would be no opportunity to "pocket" the money and not do the work.

Of course, the gas and electric are needed to heat the building in winter, so that there will be no frozen pipes - a very important consideration up north.

So far, I'm really enjoying area of southern Minnesota; especially as we slowly transition away from the frozen tundra of winter, into the warm sunny summer months.

That is a much safer bet. not only that if things do get worse the heloc's can be frozen or called those are NOT fixed term loans the loans length is at the unilateral discretion of the lender ( read the fine print of your mortgage note). 

I've already removed snow and salted but it has melted and frozen over and now tenant complaining about ice.

you talking mixed use in a ( just speculating small mid western town)  the mid west is littered with vacant commercial buildings.habitation for humans is one thing most folks need a roof.. but not everyone needs a small commercial space.not to mention tough to finance.. as for timing its neither good nor bad.when it was good NO one was buying except the very brave and the foriegners with cash.. credit was frozen or US folks were reeling.so now that cash is flush everyone is back in the game.. so there ya go.

The frozen pipes is completely out of my control in a situation like this.

also I caution folks on helocs.. just simply because they can be called or frozen.. so want to know exactly what you doing with those.Its pretty in Vegas today 87  blue skys winds out of the southwest to 20 knots. :)

A friend told me today of his own experience in 2009 when his HELOC (a huge one at that ~ $284K was frozen after he had withdrawn about $195K of it), so I guess it does happen and it got me thinking, now that would just be horrible, here I have planned and called out contractors to start work and then.....gosh I cannot pay them for work done

My BP account was frozen for some reason again.