You're in a cold climate there so no telling where the shut off is.

This sounds easier than it is because you have to be aware of the current climate & laws but not to the point you let "what if" scenarios based in heavy part on the ratings draw of panic / fear headlines.   

Its a 5-7yr payback in Buffalo, a similar climate with less days of sunshine. 

Cost of living + climate virtually assures a steady stream of retirees, which will continue to put pressure on housing where I live.

What's a newbie to do in this climate?

Louis climate well, but brick has an R value per inch of roughly 0.20 / inch. 

In addition, recently the political climate, that was never landlord friendly, has gotten worse for the LL.  

To be protected class of person, the support animal must be there to give assistance to a diagnosed mental disorder of the person or a diagnosed emotional disorder. 

Personally, I wouldn't feel comfortable going with out. "100-year floods" are likely to happen much more frequently as climate change continues.As an aside, you wrote that the property has "100% vacancy."

I’d still worry about the political climate but it would be nice to have something close to home.