Are there aminities in the rental that are must have to maximize rental income(ie central AC, finished basement, outdoor space...etc)?

Not having the pay on the principal if the market takes a shift the other way will allow you to weather storm and hopefully still cash flow.

I’ve never been around cold weather so it was never a thought about how well insulated it has to be to connect to the house.

Has anyone laid sod in cold weather?

Can't predict how much snow we will have and being out of state you won't want to follow the weather trying to figure out when to hire it out. 

Cash flow helps you weather the storms. 

So at least $200k for an SFR might be a possibility, but it will be weathered.

Cheaper to put in place and much easier/cheaper to maintain; yet still gives tenants a nice outdoor space.  

Renovating during winter month in Michigan can be a challenge if you are not use to cold weather.

Knocking on doors when the agent (as instructed by the owner) forbids it, is A) rude, B) could be trespassing (I get there may be little if any consequences to that), C) could get violent (I'm confident you would not be welcomed at my front door and would be met with swift and decisive resistance), D) could get you into trouble with your local Realtor board, and E) could get you blackballed on the deal.