Try to break away from any sentimental attachment you may have to this property, owning rentals is a business, a business can not survive with no income.

I agree with the general sentiments here: 1) some tenants won't pay to fix that little thing that will end up costing you way more than their security deposit (and thus causing a lot of headache for you to sort out) and 2) I think it gets really difficult to define what is their responsibility and what was deferred maintenance on your end.

Public sentiment should drive the campaign a long way.Might be able to even get GRANT money - - anyone with grant experience???

The best I could recommend is what @Ethan Atkinson suggested.I would echo the sentiment that if engineering is not your passion and you are only in it for the $ you should find something else to do.

In fact a few people wrote and emailed me that same sentiment.

Something can have "sentimental value," but I've never heard anyone talk about "sentimental price."

I can imagine sometimes a potential seller will have a sentimental attachment to the property (i.e. it was in their family for a long time) and letting them know what your plans are for the property may help.  

I'll echo Andrew's sentiment that if you can increase the rent on the 2.5% property then hang on to it.

@Arthur Hebda I absolutely agree with that sentiment.  

But I know market sentiment can also change fast.