I've been following for some time now and am a huge fan of the content available and the forums provided. 

Personally, I am not a big fan of high leverage, especially this late in the cycle.  

I'm a fan of owning properties close to home whenever possible.

Do I truly need to replace the whole system, given that the inside coil and blower fan, in my view, doesn’t look too bad? 

I have personally noticed in some of the older complexes that even something as simple as ceiling fans that are added after the fact, if they are not installed properly, cause more problems than they are worth (hot spots where they joined wires and did not put in junction boxes, low ceilings so they hang too low so tall people cannot walk through the room, etc.). 

I don't mean to sound like a Cozy fan boy.

Its by far the best strategy to get started, and I would recommend focusing on improving your personal financial position before jumping in to ensure you are not stuck in case of a scenario where everything hits the fan.

Live below your means and don’t buy any stupid purchases aka car, 4 wheeler , time share, sorry folks not a fan.

I'm thinking it must be the thermostat, that seems to be the only thing that would control the fan....

I'm already not a fan of getting my first property at 27 with my current plan.