Don't forget to ask when the last time everyone's rent was increased - with section 8 you can only do that once/year. 

Would we see increased cross-border transactions and a surge in property investment opportunities?

They had caught some trespassers.We have continued to upgrade our security systems as capabilities have increased and costs have decreased.  

Whether we agree with these items or not, the following are inflationary government policies: stimulus, student debt relief, tariffs, increased child tax credits, limited immigration, and big government deficit spending.

Is it best to simply increase rent by a fixed amount (e.g., $700) to cover this, or are there other strategies for handling utilities in this situation?

I increased my Heloc on my primary.

In 2022 the rents increased 12.1% year over year which was the 3rd highest in the entire country per https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2023/02/14/cleveland-rent-prices.

During the partnership, you can jointly manage the property, increase its value, negotiate a flexible repayment plan with the seller that allows for larger payments after the property appreciates, ensure a written agreement that clearly specifies repayment terms and timeframes and refinance, and the sellers are able to 1031 at their leisure? 

It will actually be more difficult for your agent to procure a buyer off market - so the work actually increases. 

Adding a 1/2 bath, new roof, central air or other typical improvements will increase the value of the property.