When I moved in, the apartment heating was not working and I had to fight with the landlord and threaten him to not pay rent in order to get extra baseboard heaters in the apt. 

Run the numbers, what is your profit the next twelve months if you leave them alone vs kick them out and spend $xx,xxx.xx on renovating the apartment, court costs if they do fight it, and have it sit empty for a number of months?

The reason being, and don't quote me on this, is that someone from his family could 'probably' fight the sale and get it over turned.Otherwise, you'll have to drive with a notary to the bed side, hold his hand, and guide his hand, as he signs (JUST KIDDING), but if you do this, please send me a pic!

Good markets... but I'll stay where the 2% rule still rules or at least has a fighting chance. 

I'm also from WH, there should be plenty of places that have value add capabilities.

I am not a licensed electrician, but I am more than capable of changing out light fixtures and replacing outlets and switches as an upgrade.

If there were some type of issue - beyond what I was capable of estimating (foundation issue for example) - then I would just bring someone skilled in that area with me prior to even making an offer.

I felt a punch me in my stomach and I couldn’t even fight back!

Good luck and keep fighting!

They have been there for 35 years, are not looking for a fight, are just doing a job, and we both work together to a solution. however, with them gone, younger personnel will be promoted, and these are lesser experienced folks many of whom feed their families by working for the IRS, and so they are looking to make a name for themselves and can be less interactvie and /or flexible.In conclusion you will be able to exclude most but not all of the gain, even without aggressive expending.