Sure, a smaller one that would be less expensive to run for just HW, but you won't see a full $40k/year reduction in your utility costs.On the plus side, having A/C will probably be a differentiation point for your complex.

The land trusts can also be utilized to remove your name from public record for a given property, as you can have your attorney sign as the "nominee trustee" of the land trust, then have yourself become the "trustee" after the signing is done - per the language you use to form the land trust.

its highly market specific also.. some areas of the country are much eaiser to that in.IE low value  more homes than peeps.. older functionally obsolete money pits that kind of thing.keep in mind in the cities where wholesaling works.. there are tons of vacant homes even today.I think for instance indy has 4k vacant homes.Detroit who knows how manyChicago thousands.Philly 10k plusBaltimore same thing.those areas is where buying low seller for more is quite common.. and other smaller little towns throughout the mid west and northeast.. 

There are some creative solutions, such as what's commonly referred to as "cash for keys" - you negotiate an early lease termination with the tenant, in exchange for some financial consideration/moving money. 

It's a pretty common strategy to use the equity in your home to purchase an investment property.

You have essentially created a "holding company" which is a common structure.

The heat treatment (cooking) is recommended and what is commonly used in the hotel industry.

ANYthing you need, get before closing, or you risk not being able to get it at all.Get a history of the rental payments from the prior owner.If there is no lease, write one up and make sure it is signed prior to closing, or else the tenants may opt to not sign it.Cant change the rent or utilities mid-lease (If there is one)

It is fairly common.

Can you provide further insight on what some of the common niches are on your short list?