Real estate is a scarce item, it has to be rationed one way or another.

Sometimes the best deals you make, are the ones you don't, and I can guarantee you this, when you start rationalizing, or getting emotionally tied to a property, you're heading downhill from that point forward.Not enough info ($$$$$ numbers) to really even understand the true/complete picture here.

Its not rational to bring a contractor out to look at all the properties. 

Could be quite a job.Electric mini splits are certainly the way to go if you can rationalize the cost.

I tell myself I should be like everyone else in every developed society and not worry that my prosperity is built on a mudsill over the less fortunate of the earth, feed myself some cheesy moral double-talk like "I would argue it is unethical not to try and make money" with a hefty side of rationalization, but it doesn't always work.

In fact it's a perfectly rational strategy from their standpoint and one that now needs to be exposed by those that will have to pay the price.

And some people, including my real estate mentor who is a seasoned investor would tell me that risking my paid off asset represents the only rational way. 

If you have one, it's unmistakable.We've had multiple drug dealers :/ ; Usually we inherit them.The good news is that drug dealers are rational so you can get rid of them with out too much trouble.

Y You're rationalizing a poor deal into a good one.

But today, you have a considerable amount of equity built in paydown and appreciation to access, and you can use that equity to improve the current house and purchase more.Many people find suitable alternatives to manage a handful of properties from a distance, so even if you move eight hours away, you can do most of the managing yourself by building relationships with contractors and real estate agents, paying a small fee for them to help as need requires.Only sell if you know the choice is mathematically correct, rationally made, and leads to more property acquisition now.