If you decide to buy this place, then make it lead free, you will have to abide by the EPA regulations and everything else associated with MDE and abating lead. .. you will be using EPA certified contractors, you will have to put the tenant up (at your expense) in temporary lodging with temporary utilities (i.e., a hotel/motel), etc., etc., etc.Much better to do a full risk reduction (lead safe) or go lead free with an EMPTY unit.  

We found an apartment building that offers a temporary lease, perfect! 

The tree bugs the hell out of me and I want to cut it down but the other part of me is saying save the $ since this is only a temporary stay for a few months.  

If it's temporary, and they can find another job - usually the issue - reasonably soon, it's worth trying to work with them.

However, I actually use "traveling nurse" as short-hand for anyone needing temporary furnished housing.

Houston is great market, this temporary downtime may be related to Oil... once Oil will be back ...Houston market will be super hot again.

Do you want the temporary rent to contribute the Mortgage payments for the year?

And the downtown gentrified trendy areas will continue to be a temporary stop over in the lifestyle of the millenials.  

I'm happy with what that temporary sacrifice has enabled for me.Some people say I'm "lucky" to be in the position I'm in now. 

I did find temporary work that helped buffer the finances, but I still had to dip into my savings a bit.Things are finally starting to ramp back up for my “old” career, and things are looking up again.