If you add split a/c systems, that could potentially increase the rental value of the property but it depend on the class of neighborhood/property, your climate, the competition, and other factors.

Note that our property selection process, the desert climate and construction materials are the main reasons our maintenance is so low.

I wish I lived in moderate climated and done that. 

Now that there are lots and lots of people who have been doing real estate, I suppose if I was just starting out, I'd use a mentor if I believed he was honest, had integrity, knew what he was doing, showed proof of his performance, still invested in real estate himself, had a hundred or so properties under his belt, bought in the zip codes I wanted to invest in, was buying the types of properties I wanted to own, understood the changing climate of real estate, understood entities and taxes and inheritance issues, understood cash flow, understood asset protection, understood how to find deals "off market" and was savvy, yeah I'd go that route and any amount of money I paid would be inconsequential to the wealth I'd accumulate.

It is extremely volatile due to the political and economical climate.

Our electricity rates are among the lowest in the nation, and the climate is relatively mild. 

Taxes here suck and as a cleaning business owner, I can say the business climate is not too friendly either.However, there are still great investments to be had and growing markets within CT, New Haven being one of them.

Finding a lender in 2nd position on an investment property is extremely difficult in todays climate.

Possible upcoming housing climate change - research creative lending via biggerpockets and your local library communities.3.

It's in NC so the climate is nice.