Obviously, that will not work for all services - e.g. firefighting, police, defence, etc.Many countries are also moving towards a consumption-based tax instead of an income-based tax.

The putrid smell of metabolized alcohol, stale beer, and sweat should overwhelm the agent's senses.

The Thanksgiving week is a perfect time to do this as you are likely around friends and family having a good time, instead of New Years Eve where alcohol and parties rule the day (not to mention that New Years kiss from the someone special).We chose real estate investing for the lifestyle it can provide and thus lets set some goals to accomplish over the next 13 months.I’ll start.

Then cross reference that against electricity consumption, accounting for dryers, lights, vending machines, etc.

Not that it couldn't happen, but every homeowner violates a bazillion other provisions in every note the minute they bring hazardous substances into a home like gasoline, oil, Drano, alcohol, Clorox, etc., and you never see a bank accelerate a note for that.Long story short, you could have this deal wrapped up today without any additional expense and be cash flowing later this week. 

For all you MF owners out there, here's a quick tip I learned today from a veteran PM:Have your maint. guy (or yourself if you're the maint. guy) write down the water meter reading twice a week and track it over time.This will allow you to identify a hidden leak fast and get in-front of it before it gets too bad.For example If the week over week consumption jumps 50% on day and nothing special should have caused it then you need to start looking into it. 

My sense of caution is also based on the world economy, which is so heavily based on debt/fossil fuel consumption and will have another serious downturn at some point; we just don't know when.

For info on utils - you can call NS Power for example and ask for average consumption for the place you're looking at, and you can also use Viewpoint to get the taxes - it also provides sales history which is handy.In my opinion - Middleton is a pretty good area as there's a hospital, some gov't, NSCC, and several car dealerships, and other businesses such as this........in other words for rural NS it has some good things going on.  

Some others will foot the bill to sub meter and charge each unit per their consumption. 

First if there is any discrepancy with the first water bill I have the bill to show the meter reading dates and consumption rates.