If your plumbing is in concrete, I would be more concerned as well.Happy InvestingDerek Dombeck

While I *technically* cannot purchase a house until after my graduation date, I have a lot of concerns over the logistics of moving down there without a place to move in to.

Secondly, at what threshold is DTI a concern when planning for a future home purchase for myself and potential wife to be?

That was another one of my concerns.

No gutters on the house, most Northern Michigan homes don't have them because of the winters up here, which adds to the concerns a bit.Here is a picture of the backyard.

If that is the cause, with some fresh air, the smell will go away pretty quickly.  

After meeting this applicant we became concerned because they had so many ammenments they wanted to make to the lease (the lease was not signed nor do we have a deposit from them), insistance of blinds in the kitchen area for privacy, plus we got an overall uneasy feeling about this person.

Here in Texas we have agriculture exemption on taxes which causes much lower property taxes. 

I am primarily concerned about the high (2.6%) property taxes.

My biggest concern is your statement that you couldn't get a clear answer from your tax team.