It also helps if you know how to weld. 

In addition to moisture/mold issues, I wanted to add also that if you have any laminate or vinyl plank flooring, the warranty can become useless and flooring damaged if the temperature is not kept at certain levels. 

They have no concept of actually waiting throughout the weekend to have a repair addressed once the temperature goes over a certain limit.We often go over, pretend to fiddle with the unit and can sometimes diagnose the problem as a frozen unit, especially if the box of 12 filters I've left for them at move in have grown dusty with cobwebs still sitting in the closet untouched and the one being used looks like it's grown a nice beard. 

if your competition has a garage and the costs to turn it back into a garage are not too much, then it would be smarter to convert it back, but a cheap way to get back that lost square footage may be a screened-in porch or lanai on the back. depending on how crazy you want to get with it, you may wind up with more sq footage than before and having a nice, temperature controlled outdoor area can be a huge selling point and should increase the value nicely. 

I have lived there on and off for over 3 years and have never seen temperatures exceed 85 degrees, in any part of the country. 

I understand that the electric heat pumps are not efficient at lower (winter) temperatures, which we have a lot of in Philadelphia winters.Are the newer models as bad as some of what I've read online?

All in all, I'd love any help anyone is able to provide, and if anyone would like to help me out in person I'd take it up in a heartbeat.Also, I'm not selling my trade, but since this seems like a family, if you're in my area and need any welding work, I'd be more than happy to help any friendly colleague I meet!

All in all, I'd love any help anyone is able to provide, and if anyone would like to help me out in person I'd take it up in a heartbeat.Also, I'm not selling my trade, but since this seems like a family, if you're in my area and need any welding work, I'd be more than happy to help any friendly colleague I meet!

Cracks larger than 1/8" inch on concrete,  might be a concern, if they are opening with time (note temperature changes like winter vs summer will affect the opening of the crack, even if they are inside the house just because the expansion and contraction with temperature). 

The amount depends on the temperature, Texas summers can be brutal.