You'll also need to have reserves ( about 6 months worth) of PITI for the subject property as well as the one you already own and pay off any credit card debt you have to reduce debt to income ratio.

Students who wish to pursue a higher degree down the line may be discouraged to do so because of the already crippling debt they have acquired which could end up reducing the amount of people willing to gain a higher degree due to the additional cost.

With freeze thaw it will keep you from getting patches of ice or at least greatly reduce them.

Under stairs and reduce storage room under stairs.

I also like the idea your sister did with reducing inheritance by a value equal to the property. 

It's unlikely you will mitigate W-2 earnings as passive income (rental activity) won't reduce your w-2 income tax liability.As for replacing the AC. 

Paying off the properties would reduce long-term risk.  

You want to be better than them, but not so much better that people start wondering what the catch is.Edit: also consider what's underneath it, you may want carpet purely to reduce noise below.

Roll up my sleeves and do a little slave labor to show the contractor how serious deadlines are to me and also reduce a little costs.

My seller would rather not repair the floors and have the insurance check reduce her principle at closing.