It sounds like things have gotten very heated. 

This is a pro & con, because depending on the property, location, etc. this may not be ideal.The VA has more strict inspection criteria for the property and will not provide a loan if the property is not habitable.  5 major things they look for are structural issues, pests, security issues, electrical issues and heating issues.I know this is a lot to consider, but if you want to dive into the details of any of these items, please feel free to reach out to me in a private message and I'll help explain things further.In my opinion, the pros by far outweigh the cons. 

For example, I replaced a furnace that was old and acting up in the fall because it suxs to not have heat in the winter in Ottawa (where that property is).

I've read about heat pumps, and that's there's more to electric heat than before so I am not sure if electric heat has improved in cost efficiency?

I should have expected this given that there is no heating in that area.

Almost all applicants will already have crappy credit-- even the kids just starting out (because all to often their parents opened utility accounts in the kids name because they had a heat emergency and they needed to get around their own bad credit).

The reasoning behind this: water usage is pretty much going to be an average amount per person, regardless of unit size, whereas with electricity, a larger unit typically uses more electricity: more outlets, gadgets, lighting, heat/air.

Look at roofs, siding, plumbing, drainage, electrical boxes, wiring, duct work, heating and cooling units, water heaters, and windows.

They also insist on adding in the cost of heat despite the tenants paying for that. 

I assumed they meant the heat was out, but when I asked what was wrong with it, they told me "I set it to 60, but it's only 70 inside...".