You are not required to pay upfront costs (and shouldn't, in my opinion.)I require written verification from utility companies (water, gas, electric) that utilities have been assigned to Tenant effective the first day of occupancy; no confirmation = no keys and lease approval withdrawn).

We made several improvements to the property when we got it - a totally new gas line, a totally new water line including all the lines from the street and pex plumbing installed.

Jobs, stores, roads, healthcare services, and gas stations can all be destroyed in a disaster, as is often shown in the news.

If we lived in Satellite, we probably would get gas and use the Commissary more. 

Just Gas and internet work. 

If you have natural gas to that spot for a tanked unit, swapping to a tankless is cake.Insulate the garage door if that isn't done.If you are local and handy, you can do a DIY mini split in there for under $1000.

Is it because the gas connection was turned off and this heater needs gas to operate?

If you're interested in multi-family, I highly recommend starting out with multi-family with your first VA loan as it will be easier to get a single family residence after that.If you decide to pursue multi-family, you'll want to ensure that each unit is separately metered for utilities (water, gas, heat, electricity, etc.) as this is a requirement under VA financing.  

Your gas, more than 1% net.

Do you have the money to have a new heater put in it of some sorts, electric baseboard, natural gas, propane- as well as a new water heater.