If your apartments are old and costs you a lot to upgrade it, just sell it or refi and buy a new construction weather it's single family/townhome or a multifamily. 

It might be used as additional storage and a place to put your automobile when you are expecting bad weather.  

it is much easier to work on them, cheaper if you have to pay utilities for a few months, and most folks do not want to move in extremely cold weather. 

I don't have the stats off hand for all units but some of them are better than others at lower temps etc, some have electric resistant heating elements to assist in creating heat.  

I am also debating weather I should try to lower my debt ( principle mortgage) on my home prior to purchasing another real estate investment.I am looking into using a HELOC to pay down my mortgage (Truthinequity.com) or increasing my mortgage paymentsMy Debt : Income ratio .....will soon be prohibitive, in my opinion , for me to continue to get loans for deals.I would love to hear some insight/ or strategies to help me continue to invest in real estate for the long run.I look forward to your insight/advice.Andrew

Higher rates during the weekends when ski weather is good.

I couldn't resist.

Tenants, like water, choose the path of least resistance and do it with their stories.

Just different weather and what you're tracking in when you open that common door.  

Hello @Alexander Holmes, I am from Massachusetts and I couldn't agree with you more about the cold weather!!