Pitch Anything by Oren Klaff is a great, somewhat counter-intuitive guide to sales skills in this area.

You do not have current REI experience or handyman skills but have willingness, energy and 50k cash for investment and want to build passive income via Real estate keeping your current job until foreseeable future.

Everything is a good idea if it matches your given risk tolerance, skill set, and provides you with the ROI you desire.

I thought a gas insert would be a good compromise, as well as add a luxurious aesthetic to the apartments. 

I think finding the complimentary skill sets is a great idea and leads to greater project/task efficiency in the long-run.

But the business consulting skills translates well to deal analysis, capital raising, and networking...all valuable skills in REI. 

Do you have the skills?

You can even get vinyl siding that looks like cedar shakes if you want to maintain the aesthetics of the building without sacrificing performance. 

Each area of real estate investing has a different personality type with particular skill sets and personality traits to match that niche.

He is very skilled, so most times it doesn't cause a problem.