To me it is essential to have contractors in the area you want to buy(I am in 4-5 states). 

Figured out one of the heating elements was dead.

Also since you said in that climate shade is not essential I have used sunshade fabric on tracks attach the underside of the top of a wood pergola type structure with a way to pull the sun shade material out on the tracks so that you can have it shaded or open. 

That said, as @Pat L. mentioned, running stand alone flue pipe through a masonry chimney is not uncommon at all, for the very reasons you're asking.Keep in mind though, you'll likely need a custom cap made to keep out the elements and critters.On another note, if the chimney is "flaking all over the place", is it sound?

There will be two tax keys and the "lot" will actually be a limited common element appurtenant to each building rather than having an actual separate lot for each building.His intent is to sell these properties to investors interested in holding them as rental properties.

This will essentially do the same thing.

A good property manager can help you create an accurate assessment for your operating budget, capital improvements, value add potential and other key operating elements that will make you money down the road.

Essentially each person has a "value" so an adult may be a 1.0 a kid may only be a .7 or the square footage of the apt is the ratio, so the utility bill comes and the cost is split up based on the numbers and that bill is sent to the tenants.

Sometimes the architect can take on some of the elements of it but I tried that and wouldn't recommend it- an specialist should do it 100%. 

Some green elements are not overly expensive and add a distintion to your marketing.Also, don't forget that some might want to gain cash-flow rather than take the capital gain.. so maybe they can simply pay you your 30% and retain ownership.Also, give me a $75K entry point (plan A), $150k (plan B), $300K (plan C), and $500K (plan D).