Yes placement is huge, and also doing the metal piping fittings for ethernet lines externally. 

There is no pride of ownership and there may be external obselesce or factors like narrow one way roads, factories nearby, lack of access to public transportation and food. 

New roof, new external brick I am told. 

I'd continue to make $$ to add to that cash pile you've already got, and wait till there is a bit more certainty with the external variables (health & safety) in such an odd market we have today.

"Owner" in this context means an owner of record with at least a 50 percent interest in the property.The rationale for this exemption from rent control is the belief that an owner who shares a small property with a tenant will have a more familial relationship with his tenant and, therefore, there is less need for external rules to protect the tenant from unwarranted rent increases.So, why aren't all owner-occupied duplexes exempt?

But people should try to be less hung up on external validation.

His requirement for cash, his tax liability, if he has any personal issues such as health concerns that may impact immediate or future asset assessments, is he getting out of real estate or can an exchange entice him, what should rent levels be, is he dumping due to any future legal concerns, any expected zoning or government actions expected to impact the property or other external matters motivating him?

The income product (bonds) produces current income to live on though and will do so even if external forces cause the bond's value to vacillate.

If you include a clause or a contingency that is external to that duty, then it changes the nature of the contract into a listing agreement.A contingency or provision that relieves the buyer from the duty to perform as a buyer and substitutes a duty to perform as if he were a broker will change the nature of the contract into a listing agreement.

You could modernize it, keeping the external historic charm, but the inside layout is not geared for modern living -  20' wide grand stairway w/ 16' ceilings just isn't practical in this day and age.