You make some valid points.

Also visiting that market to walk the streets and talk to residents and proprietors (think restaurant owners, gas station attendants and Uber drivers) often times they can tell you something in 5 minutes that you could never glean from hours of research.Cheers

There's a wealth of articles that describe their poisonous gas emitting drawbacks.

And the 2 apartments I was shown didn't have any issues noticeable without actual doing a full inspection (e.g. baseboard heaters that don't work, and an unvented gas space heater).

How valid of a strategy is this in adding value to her project?

You're looking at logistics from an investor's standpoint, and, as an investor, you have valid points.

It's true that there's less to worry about regarding everything outside your unit, all of the things @Greg Scott mentioned are very valid issues and happen more often than people realize, i can vouch for that. 

In the event that any of the provisions of this Loan are held to be invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part, the remaining provisions shall not be affected and shall continue to be valid and enforceable as though the invalid or unenforceable parts had not been included in this Loan.Notifications.

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.

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.