Our landlord leases prohibit the use of salt and/or ice melt.

Because I started out managing all of them myself, and I didn't want to (1) learn more geographic areas than that and (2) spend time on the road for management.Anytime there's a real emergency - we have lots of ice storms, I had one property fire, water leaks where the tenant can't find the water shut-off valve (something you should always point out at move-in), etc. - it's a definite plus to be nearby.There are so many reasons I prefer to have properties near including knowing what's going on in those locations - market values, legislation, zoning changes - so, for me, close is a must if I'm holding long term.That being said, people from big cities, like Atlanta, think I'm crazy.

Don't move to Alaska and set up an ice cream business.Determine demand exists.

Appreciation is just icing on the cake.

The landscaping business allowed me to make high dollar per hour rates that i wouldnt have been able to make if i had worked more at the ice cream shop i worked as a busboy.

I want to buy the place but I'm not sure on the best verbiage to break the ice.

said no one ever.Through selling and flipping a ton of homes and holding my own rentals, I've found that the best reason to have gutters is to keep water away from the foundation and keep ice from forming in walkways.

I understand the power of appreciation, but the advice I read about on BP and in other places is that (when doing buy-and-hold investing) you should consider appreciation icing on the cake, and not go into deals banking on it. 

Not a fan of where the frig is at but does group the water for ice and washer. 

The future possible benefits are just icing.