Be willing to hold them to these standards.One of the best things I ever read in these forums was to be firm, but fair.

To buy to invest and hold? 

If it's a long-term hold, removing the boiler can give you a huge NOI, so you should consider it... especially if you are already renovating!

Quote from @Scott Mac: Can the staff force you to do that or hold you up in some way?

One major things to consider that many newer investors miss with 5+ units, is that if you intend to hold, the property will need to be at least 75% occupied and stabilized before you will be able to find reasonable financing terms. 

You can use this property to hedge any others that you add that may only cover themselves, or require supplement until they are paid off.HOWEVER, if you have decided that your goal is to use Real Estate as a stepping stone to build wealth by upgrading the property you hold each time (condo to house, house to 4-plex, 4-plex to 8 unit, etc) then I think you are right to sell now while you think the property is at the top of it's appreciation.It will be hard for anyone on BP to tell you what to do as we don't know your goal.You are right. 

@Toby Fellows I feel ya as I am mainly an investor as well but also hold a RE agent license.

In my experience it's easier to liquidate single family homes compared to other asset classes, that's why I like them better.

However if you understand the process already and what you're trying to achieve and just looking for someone to do it for you, then I would search a bit more to price compare and then make your informed decision.

As for the areas to target, my goal in getting our feet wet as real estate investors--and since we plan to be living in Sac--is to find a property we can live in while renting out one or more units to help cover our housing expenses, which we can then hold and continue to rent out when we move.