Nathan, if they are the old 1980's/1990s' wood, I have had luck just cleaning/deglossing with TSP (cuts all past oils/dirt from kitchen) and a scrub sponge (use rough side), rinse and then go with Polyshades (stain/poly in one).

Steve & I are working on several existing production oil deals.

You're from the heart of oil country.  

I presently work in the Oil and Gas industry and travel anywhere from 6-10 months out of the year.

Has the oil down turn effected the Houston market very much?

Lots of good stuff going on in Oklahoma right now in spite of oil prices :-). 

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.

I was recently laid off from a marketing communications job that I did for 25 years in oil & gas and now I'm trying real estate investing full-time in the Houston and surrounding areas.I am anxious to get started and look forward to meeting and learning from other real estate professionals like yourselves.

The type of heating fuel (oil, gas, etc) will also have an impact on the rentability of the property.Also make sure you are covered from a snow/ice slip and fall standpoint.

Mineral rights are valuable, especially in an area of mineral development (like oil).