I am from San Diego, Ca born and raised and bought some of my investment properties in TN!

I chose the secure path years ago concentrating on my career in the Oil & Gas business while raising my children with intentions on picking it up again later in my career.

Your option is to do a pressure test of the line to check for leaksThe bigger issue will be the appraisal if you are getting a loan.

The American banks likewise have been ordered to tighten their mortgage regulations and underwriting criteria quite a bit, similar to the stress testing Karl describes.

I'm not worried about the family aspect of things because business is business and even you know that the rent must be raised.  

You can't give applicants a Briggs-Meyers personality test.

I could see having both to contribute to, hence raising my contribution maxes (if it even works that way).

I was raised in Midland, TX as well, and mineral rights have made a lot of people out there wealthy.

Just be really careful.As an example, when I raise money from investors for a real estate offering, the investors get most of the profits AND my firm (the sponsor) is on the hook for the loan guarantee. 

They remediated their tank but one of the surrounding neighbors was leaking and they couldn't find exactly which one and couldn't force neighbors to test so they still don't have a No Further Action letter from NJ DEP.