Need to take a break to deal with two ice dams.

A Song of Ice and Fire series - GRRM, super intricate and full of twists but it is a commitment.E-Myth Revisited -GerberOn the Road - KerouacRichest Man in Babylon - ClasonLeadership and Self Deception - Arbinger InstituteTreasure Island - Stevenson

Should I keep buying houses that perform well and look at appreciation in value as icing on the cake?

Since the room appears to be on an outside wall and you life in Toronto it could also be seasonal due to snow load/ice damming.

(It is still a good idea to ask the owner(s) to tell you a little about the property, because this "breaks the ice" and sets both the investor and seller "at ease.")

For example say in the case of "we" the self-managers forgot to de-ice and the tenant slips and falls, we are now liable because we self-manage therefore nullifying the corporate veil.I'll be partnering with a local friend/ contractor in Maryland, and we plan on doing all the rehab plus self managing at least for the first few properties.

I figured it was because we left the door open and we had a smart thermostat.Fast forward to this week, after continuous inefficient cooling, and the AC not turning on at set temperature for the third time, I decided to call the warranty compan, through the initial assessment we noticed that the condenser line was frozen (visible ice on the line). 

Use your money to buy an ice cream truck.

Stick with light colors in the tan-sand-beige-greige range, white woodwork (easy touch-ups), with maybe a pale blue or cream for baths, utility rooms, closets, etc.

You can sear it first if you don't mind an extra dirty pan to wash; I don't bother.Add a bit of liquid, maybe an inch in the bottom of the pot: red wine, broth, brandy, water with a Tablespoon of soy sauce, or coffee (yes, coffee).Sprinkle some seasonings on top of everything: onion powder, a clove of fresh garlic, chili powder if you are going Mexican, basil and oregano if you are going Italian, maybe a can of cream of mushroom soup.