or do I spend a little money on the carpet and pad in hopes it will last longer?

Houston is a great place to get started and if you need help this is a great forum with people who are here in your area that maybe able to assist you! 

Any tips and tricks on how the get the best outcome when requesting a rent adjustment from the Fort Worth housing assistance program?

Being that an FHA  loan is a government guaranteed loan, only available to Investors who are househacking, it offers a lower down payment and an optional seller assistance. 

Or am I going to have to tunnel under the house again, and spend another 14k fixing this??

If you have a good relationship with an agent, you could become their assistant and they could give you MLS access.

I am very meticulous about books, spend a lot of time organizing myself.

They have been particularly aggressive buyers in places like Atlanta, Phoenix, and other metro areas with good schools and faster-growing economies.Cash to acquire and renovate homes has become so abundant lately that some rental investors can’t spend it fast enough.

Often times college students will receive financial assistance from their parents, so asking a parent to guaranty the rent may make you feel a bit better about renting to this person! 

Cards are cheap so spend $15 or $20 bucks.