You need to balance picking things apart and getting the deal done, but again the more you can have in writing towards finishes, condition, known deferred maintenance, the more information you have to negotiate with once the inspection is completed, especially if the owner didn't accurately describe things.All that being said, it tends to be a sellers market right now, so if you play too much hardball, you could very well end up losing the deal.  

You can check out their previous listings and see how the listing looks, how they describe the property and the days on market - be weary if several of their listings have high DOM. 

Sections 92.101 through 92.110 of the Texas Property Code describe the legal protections tenants have when they pay a security deposit.

When I represent a buyer client, I don't care where they live, I work for them just as hard if they're in state or out so my personal experience I guess does not match what you're describing.  

The water heater, toilet, per window cost, paint, carpet all cost the same as a house in the cities, and this is especially true as you have described these properties as needing work.

Best way I can describe it is a long term flip with a conventional mortgage vs. and interest only loan since I will be living there.

He showed me one of the listings and started to describe what he felt needed to be done.

Someone reading this might think that the market description is actually describing those specific markets and someone on the ground took the time to write out their perceptions after being there.  

@Jorge HernandezI believe it was once described to me as “The murder capital of the USA”.

@Jonathan Fouabi to @Brian Garlington points, a section 8 voucher payment will be suspended if the condition of the property is like you described...the PHA/MHA's are different in every city/county, but they all use the same HUD guidelines.