You may see comments relating to water leaks, or roof repairs, or engineer reports to pay close attention to.

Another reason why I would like to move is because I have a 1 hour commute to/from work (2 hours total)...plus rising gas costs and frequent oil changes.

Stick to your guns and cite the lease as justification.Educate your next tenants about how to spot a leak. 

The only reference I have is for my duplex and triplex properties in CO; sewage, water, garbage and share common area fees paid by me; tenant pays gas and electric.

Also, it will help to curb over usage of water, gas and eletric which seems to accompany an all bills paid community.

Is there a source for the following data;  I am looking for the "norm" for the expense ratio (based on either GPR or Gross Income) for individually metered garden style apartments in the south east and the mid Atlantic (Region IV) : Marketing Insurance Janitorial Service Lawn/Snow Licenses Miscellaneous Professional Fees Accounting Legal Property Management Fees Repairs and Maintenance Resident Superintendent Salaries and Wages Supplies Taxes Real Estate Personal Property Payroll Other Trash Removal Utilities Electricity Fuel Oil Gas Sewer and Water Telephone Other (whatever I missed)

The problems are all natural, like pipes bursting and roofs leaking. 

Gas, food, etc.

I keep my eyes out for deals in Midland but haven't pulled the trigger between cost of entry and attempting to keep some diversification since my W-2 job is oil/gas related which closely matches housing market in Midland. 

I was wondering I other investors would switch to natural gas immediately or would they hang on to oil for another winter?