I point out that even if the building didn't need much work in the last 20 years,  many systems (roofs, water heaters, paint, windows,  and may other things) were clearly wearing out and may not last much longer and to avoid unpredictable expenses a proactive approach was necessary to start upgrading)I then followed up with individual conversations with residents which helped me to understand their finances a bit and hopefully understand their ability to pay and what assistance program(s) they may already be getting or be eligible for.   

I don't find a lot of Montanans; I'm interested in building a great team so I can begin wholesaling and finding short- and mid-term rentals in both Montana and Arizona!

Does your lease say anything about ensuring the quiet enjoyment of the other tenants in the building? 

You should leverage the paid off property that you have by doing a cash out refinance and then use that to buy a new build for $300-350k putting at least 25-30% down, you can find these that will rent for 7% (annual) of the purchase price and have very low property taxes and insurance.

Why do you run away when you are asked point blank if you own the buildings you claim to own?

So here we are 5 years in with 4 rental properties working with buyers and sellers most and looking to find partners for building small multifamily buildings, duplexes, triplexes, quads, rent them out, refinance and reapeat, buy land, build the unit, rent, refinance, repeat so we got a BLBURRR.

This can help you build the right team needed for the BRRR deals you enter in the future. 

End of the day, RE is a relationship game, the tools are just there to help you focus on building relationships more efficiently.

There are lockable thermostats for commercial use, but I can't see that working in a rental.I think the main issue will always be that any thermostat that you can set a minimum temperature in will always be susceptible to this fail safe failing, due to the possibility the tenant could change it on purpose or on accident.I'd hope in a 4 plex as long as there is no building defect to the thermal envelope that it would be difficult for one units pipes to freeze as long as the other units were occupied, seeing as they share some common walls/ceilings.

For example, my wife and I could raise a large amount of money from our investors if we found a good apartment deal, but we would have trouble raising money from those same investors if we wanted to buy the office building next door.