I’d be terrified the house wouldn’t sell and then I’d still be left with a 40k abatement and repair bill.

I'm terrified of buying an 'older' apartment building in a suburb I don't have anything else in. 

So the idea of holding for long term gain is not terrifying to me. 

Of course I had my agent show it to me, and as we walked up to the front door the neighbor's dogs started barking at us so loudly and viciously, I was terrified that they would come through the fence and attack.We got the door open and viewed the inside - perfect of course.

If you send a notice to all residents that you are offering a reward for information leading to the arrest of whoever broke in of say $500, they will turn on themselves and whoever did it will be terrified to do it again.

So part of me is terrified they will turn out bad and f-up my place.

We purchased it 3 years out of college and remember it being terrifying signing up for such a large mortgage WITH 80k worth of student loans left.

I personally would be terrified of a 100 year old property, but I also live in California so it's just my environment to think that way. :-) My guess in MD there are lots and lots of successful properties that old.  

Part of me wants to lock down as many loans with the amazing interest rates we currently have, but the other part of me is terrified of having too much debt come the next down turn. 

You only gain experience by doing, so while as terrifying as it may be, you gain the same skills making one postcard as you do 1,000.