Again, another boring non-dramatic response to keep this fire burning, but it's the best I've got. 

I'm kind of in the same situation as you were - got a burned out old landlord who's probably tired from his properties.

You're young, you do things yourself...repairs, maintenance, lawn care, snow removal...kinda because physically, you can, and financially, because of the mortgage payment, you can't afford to have it done.You're old, mortgages are gone, but physically, and maybe, mentally, you just can't/don't feel like, doing it anymore.In a way, it's good, it keeps you in the game, or you'd burn out, either physically and/or mentally.I bring this up because we've just had our first snow, and instead of getting in my truck to go and do snow removal at my buildings, I'm on my third cup of coffee, browsing the internet with the knowledge that my snow is taken care of by a hired service.Feels good.Maybe I could winter in Florida...

:Gas logs at Lowes start at $169There are Youtube videos on how to put them inI'd probably budget 500-1,000 depending on price of the logs and distance to gas lineUsing CSST pipe will probably make the job faster I ran one for my daughter.Tapped into the black pipe outside as the fireplace was cantilevered off the family room next to the gas meter.I basically drilled through the side of the old wood burning f/p chimney/firebox & ran the black pipe into the firebox & installed a gas log insert.Even though the gas insert was supposedly "vent free" I added an intake for the combustible air through the side & exhausted it up through the existing chimney.The total cost was $399 for the remote controlled 22" gas log insert & I added a small blower fan $20 in the firebox.

I think of maintenance as painting, floor coverings replacement, fixing burned out electrical socket, worn or deck etc. 

I can understand your reluctance if you have been burned before.

Hiring freezes and fat cutting of the lower level(low paid) support staff and production staff(if production is reduced).

Human nature tells me that's a big fat NO.

Since I don't have $500K burning a hole in my pocket, I'm forced to find alternative solutions.

You can get where you want to go much faster by driving the fast car faster, but you can also crash and burn in a ball of flames.