That is, the first mortgage is still valid. 

In my local area we have a ton of triple deckers and I would say about 85% of them still have these bulky very non energy efficient natural gas space heaters that are used to heat the entire apartment.

Odds are that 6 months of that interest rate is going to total up to more money than 1 set of refinance closing costs, but do your own math to validate. 

I know it's legal to assign a valid contract to someone else.

Gas (or induction) stove instead of electric?   

One part of our business is advising and placing clients in Reg D and 501(C) private placements like DSTs, alts, and oil & gas mineral rights.

If you drive to the foreclosure it is more targeted but it does take a lot of gas..2.

@Seth Nightengale, I think your concerns are valid.

The problem is the land has been contaminated due to fuel tanks leaking from a gas station next door as shown on the phase II soil survey.

Buy new vinyls and have them installedI am not sure if the Vinyls will add enough re-sale value to validate the cost, and I know cheap vinyl windows don't last that long and will haze up, but I also don't think most buyers take that into account.