@Charles Mullins, I use a cleaning lady that I found on Craigslist and she has been wonderful.I just text her days I need house cleaned and then I mail her a check after she cleans.I use a lock box for keys, wifi thermostats to control the temperature when no one is there.

The first realtor I worked with got mad at me for fidgeting with the thermostat, pulling on handrails and wiggling the toilets.

Also, a programmer/dentist/doctor/venture capitalist might just want to pick up a little apartment building.

I pay around $8500 for 4 story, new construction house, 2200 sq ft, including a nest thermostat.

On a lot of the ones I manage we have blocked off the vents to one unit and put in electric baseboard heat with individual thermostats for each room so that both units can pay their own heat.

Once you have secured employment, financing will be possible.When it comes to purchase, if you qualify for the first time homebuyers programme under CMHC, your downpayment would be 5%, but the CMHC insurance premiums will be added to your mortgage balance.  

Since you're a programmer, cash flow shouldn't be your primary focus as much as tax advantages and low effort.  

I was thinking about doing the same thing (limited thermostat), until folks brought up the fact that they can be defeated with a bag of ice or cold wet washcloth.

Most of the old systems  put the pipes in direct contact with the cement.There is also the possibility of installing electric in wall heaters with fans and thermostat.

I would add another 10% to your expenses unless you plan on putting locked boxes over the thermostats.