To counter this, I see more communities providing a common area, "designated grilling area" on a slab away from the building.

a 3 unit can have heating bills in the thousands in NH if the landlord pays for oil.The term "historic" usually means a designated Historic district where there are restrictions on renovations and visible changes. 

My plan is to to start with all the exterior work first (roof, siding, deck, windows and doors) and make it very attractive at least on the exterior, and begin marketing the house to some home buyers who are looking for a project where they can have their input if they buy. 

I believe they are much simpler rental property with a more cookie cutter approach and can often attract better tenants.

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I've been looking into the Rhode Island Renewal Plan myself as I would also qualify under the first time home buyer designation.

Anyone from the area have any insight into whether this will make the property much less attractive to renters or less desirable to sell in the future?

Condo were already move-in ready, so I added value by adding the back-splash, ceramic in kitchen, decorative painting and good staging... so the place we're way more attractive for an end-buyer, but I got a buy and hold investor interested and I had the price at 205 for investors and between $224k and $240k for end-buyer.

And I'm thinking this is one way to make it attractive for a seller to carry the note.

I know Capterra has a list of options, but I suspect they are designed for large operations.