Drain the thing, check inside for deposits and make sure the heating elements are not corroded/busted, but like you said, it's def near the end of its usable life.  

Trust and honesty are key elements of a landlord-tenant relationship for me.

Not what I mean at all.It's one thing to have a relationship with anyone, and quite another to share the same living space with anyone.Domestic violence is the number one cause of significant property damage, with contempt for property right behind it.While I certainly care about the safety and welfare of my tenants, I do not play daddy if I can help it, except they are people that live under my roof and under my rules so, there is a certain element of that no matter how much I would prefer it otherwise.If a landlord is not going to pause when risk presents itself, why bother to screen at all?

You are missing a key element to the lease ...a contract which is consideration....that means MONEY.  

It's not too beige or deep of a color.There are so many elements to a home, paint is one of them, but what about the trim and cabinets and countertops too?

Key elements to the Term Sheet are items such as; purchase price, due diligence period(s), the amount and timing of the release of earnest money, closing and cash at closing.Please let me know if you have any questions on need help with the above.

Personally I don't find extermination as a wholesome approach there are more environment friendly or chemical free ways to handle uninvited insects such as diatomaceous earth or boraxAppreciate your inputs

Numerous elements will influence your approach and city of choice, so it's critical to do extensive study before making any selections.

But there're many college drop-outs who failed so there's an additional human element here, a passion and a strong desire to succeed. 

And there is no place in Texas that combines all the elements better than Houston.