Obviously stay away from areas with a lot of violent crimes, but how dark shade of blue on Trulia heat maps can you tolerate when investing in C neighborhoods ?

-- I opt for the latter but that could cost thousands more so I am curious what others think..Example 2 (opposite scenario): I have a Chicago landlord who removed the building's main boiler and installed separate HVAC systems in each apartment so the renter controls and pays for heat and a/c him/herself (must have cost the owner at least $25,000 to do all this). 

When you hear about apartments w/o heat for weeks that can't even maintain 50 degrees or rampart mold/bug/rat infestations, you have to feel for the people that live there. 

You'll also want to look at the listing first to see if there is a common heating system or A/C unit for the building or if there are separate utilities for each unit.

Everything was updated in 2000 and we had a new roof put on last year but because we are hitting the 20 year mark on the updates, next year other major systems like the heat and electrical system will need to be upgraded to continue with the insurer.

Most properties have gas heat and DHW in Detroit, so I'm assuming your property is the same.

They have had bedbugs in the past, and apparently they are heating the apartment with propane heaters. 

The property had very high expenses - water, electric, and heat all WAY higher than normal.

Home heating oil tanks are not as expensive to remove if they are accessible and can be removed easily from a basement or outdoors and there is no spill or contamination.  

It had a legitimate 4th bed (heat and closets present) and room to add a half bath with minimal impact to living space.