It gives you an opportunity to check the property (dangerous icicles, iced over sidewalk and other winter issues).

Another option is Simplisafe- it's a remote alarm company- and they offer water sensors(they look like white hockey pucks.)

Appreciation is just a icing on the cake but the real money comes from buying. 

That would be like a use car dealer saying that because he makes more money selling used sedans, his personal truck was a bad buy...or a field sports retailer saying that buying ice sport equipment retail is a bad buy...you can't ever hope to only buy everything with an investment or resale mentality...that would make you entire life a job. 

Keep the 1G on ice, work a 2nd job (or a temporary job) for 1 year and bank all of the paychecks 100% in a special savings account.When that savings account has the amount of money in it that you need to start, and to safely operate--stop the 2nd job and make Real Estate your second job.Take some time to take your kids and wife to Cedar Point, and the Henry ford Museum, and camping in the woods for a week so they don't forget what a nice guy you are.Just my 2 Cents.

The assets being purchased are just icing on the cake for you.  

I have very fond memories of riding my bike to Gear Road for Ice Cream at Thrifty's. 

It looks like they don't want to make repairs before closing and its snowing/ice on the roof right now so roof repair would delay closing.

You have market insight and probably common talking points (ice-breaker).

I don't know how much this property costs but I think you're skating on thin ice.