Check out the REIN Canada forums, the majority of their threads are open access and the discussions are very helpful on getting acquainted with the Alberta Market and how the energy sector and other unique factors are currently affecting Investors.

I currently work as a HVAC designer/energy auditor for commercial, multi-residential, industrial, and institutional buildings in Canada.

I think that's part of my hesitation is this is coming from the sale of the "family farm (ranch), my dad put a lot of time energy, effort and sacrifice over the last 40 years to get where he is today and the ranch is an extension of that labor and I get worried about making a good decision as I invest that money.  

If the house has multiple levels you are wasting energy pumping cold air to the upper levels and you end up with some rooms too warm and some too cold.With window units the tenant has the option to cool only the rooms being used at any given time.

It has everything that California has port cities, access to the panama canal, energy, coastal access, highway access, and access to cheap foreign labor.

I am sure there is more money to be made in deals but I like not having a lot of personal time or energy going into my rentals at this point in my career.

Its also a concern im having and trying to price into future deals... with all the oil gas movement of staff i figure some pockets like near the i10 katy area "energy corridor" have more vacancy and overbuild than others, just hard for me to find data on this with an ever changing environment 

I ALSO include the actual tax, insurance, water bill, and energy bill associated with the building.  

I've signed up for a 3 day course to help boost my knowledge and potentially propel me into the field of real estate investing as well, hopefully that will help.

And the PM will expend more time and energy when that happens, but what you're suggesting penalizes him financially for it.