Having to go to work when you don’t want to?’

My suggestion would be to cap your utilities at a certain amount and have Tenants pay anything over that amount.That will help you manage your expenses, and also allow Tenants to gage their usage each month, and make adjustments if they don't want to go over the allotted amount.As far as collection, provide the bill showing any overages and just have them pay for it along with their rent. 

This concept aims at addressing the challenges of what to do with defunct suburban malls and maybe even empty big-box retail store spaces that are in desirable and affordable neighborhoods.

@John Lasheri agree with you, you'd be surprised at how many people listen to Grant Cardone though, and decide that they're going to go buy a 100 unit with 'OPM' as their first deal and quit their job.i think buying something of that size with a few partners is a perfectly good goal. 

You also want to go to real estate investor meetups to get reps with people who do what you want to do.

Personally, I think this company is probaby about to go out of business - they have lots of inventory, and it's not exactly prudent to be investing in FL in the coastal areas now anyway.  

If meaningful appreciation is on the horizon, its a different story.If you were to go the financing route, blanket loan may be your best bet through small local bank or alternative lender.

You want them to only be able to go after that one property that didn't have clean sidewalks. 

Is it worth it to go through the proper process with the city and run the risk of a huge expense to make this a 3rd unit? 

Right  now  there is one @auction.com that is going to start bidding in North side of Lake Okeechobee give it a look'  I'm looking at it too I think it would make a great medium income Mobile Home Park for retirees who want to go fishing in Lake Okeechobee.