However several of these near me have converted to credit card machines. 

I received several such inquiries during this past tax season (and the taxpayers were upfront about why they were asking).

I would have them both apply separately, and if they are approved, sign a jointly and severally liable 12 month lease with them.

Several of my clients have preached that you need to act as though you are looking for their name in a stack of paper and then giving an off hand message about a property you were told about.

That puts you all-in at $150,000 without closing costs, which would likely be another several thousand. 

Based on comps, improvements, and regional strength, I believe several of the properties have doubled in value in the 4 or 5 years that I have owned them.Not wanting to sell, my thought is to have them reappraised and pull equity.   

I would start the decision making process by getting several business valuations.

Last time I was there, I met several Class A & Class B 100+ unit managers and they were very positive on the market but their one concern was market saturation. 

That can mean several things.

Of course, his answer is with the property sold, plus several hundred thousand over the years he saved and invested in tax free municipals, it would be no problem.