Where I live, the water is very hard and the minerals build up in the valves.If you want to save a little money, do the winterizing yourself and let the HVAC guy bring them back to life every summer. 

With the well system I would have the water tested high mineral content can cause problems with your plumbing and appliances in the home.  

@Loren Miner Don't let being an agent slow you down.

I had to work all the way through Thursday morning to get all of mine rented.

Does anyone know whether it's customary in Texas to leave the mineral rights with the prior owner?

@David Miner, no I haven't.  

By now, I wasn't surprised that the property didn't come with mineral rights.

I actually find locate absent minerals owners for my day job and I really enjoy solving the puzzle.

Chapter 34 tax sales and redemption Subchapter B redemption sec 34.21 (a) mentions “or the owner of a mineral interest sold at a tax sale to a purchaser other than a taxing unit, may redeem the property on or before the second anniversary of the date on which the purchaser’s deed is filed for record by paying the purchaser the amount the purchaser bid  for the property”.... just somewhat confused on how long is the redemption period in my case.

Securities are defined by the Securities Act of 1933http://www.sec.gov/about/laws/sa33.pdfThe definition is:The term ‘‘security’’ means any note, stock, treasury stock, security future, security-based swap, bond, debenture, evidence of indebtedness, certificate of interest or participation in any profit-sharing agreement, collateral-trust certificate, preorganization certificate or subscription, transferable share, investment contract, voting-trust certificate, certificate of deposit for a security, fractional undivided interest in oil, gas, or other mineral rights, any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege on any security, certificate of deposit, or group or index of securities (including any interest therein or based on the value thereof), or any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege entered into on a national securities exchange relating to foreign currency, or, in general, any interest or instrument commonly known as a ‘‘security’’, or any certificate of interest or participation in, temporary or interim certificate for, receipt for, guarantee of, or warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase, any of the foregoingSo, are loans securities?