What’s the alternative?

At this rate of 1-2 purchases per year I’ll need about 20 homes and alternative financing because I’ll be maxed out on loans.

I don't have any data to offer from an appraisal perspective, but just practically speaking, it seems like an actual gas furnace alternative would be a bigger selling point than a fireplace that just sits in the corner and looks nice.

This was only possible via intimately knowing that market and the alternative use of the property, expanding and adding a huge primary suite, because I knew exactly who my buyer was going to be to the point I was targeting white collar professional mid-manager at Best Buy headquarters, yeah that's how well I knew my market.

Punch in the property address and in most cases you have the owner's name and address in seconds.A few towns (I want to say East Providence and West Warwick off the top of my head, there may be more) only list the owner's name online, but you should be able to get the owner's address if you go to the tax assessor's office in person.They usually have a special computer set up which has an alternate view into their database, which is different than the online website, and gives more complete information including the full and current owner information.

Is there a possible trenchless/pipe bursting method solution/alternative to trenching? 

Like any other cost-benefit analysis, you should ask yourself what are the alternatives? 

@Max Baker I have two rather unrelated investment strategies, although emphasis shifts from time to time as markets evolve.1) These tend to be local investors only, due to greater logistical involvement (contractors, etc):a) Buy ugly houses at wholesale price to rehab and flip (mostly inner city, but not always - as I'm doing one now in one of the aging but still desirable norther suburbs).b) Alternate exit strategy is to hold for good rental cash flow.c) Or, if not ready for another rehab (or not in my preferred locations - as I'm working on one now way out of town to assign to another investor), sometimes assign the contract for a quick cash fee.2) Buy, hold, sell new/newer homes (me and/or my investor clients) in leading-edge, fast-growth emerging suburbs for best opportunity for future appreciation (over next 5-10+ years).

Alternatively properties in the greater Nob Hill area also rent really well as they’re close enough to the University but far enough away that you won’t get cheap college students.

In that case, I would have to try cash for keys, a less costly and more efficient alternative.