I have done both, just trying to not buy someone's lemons. 

Electric coil, gas, oil.

I'm in New England where oil heat is the go to.   

You'll find the most cash flow in C class areas, such as National City, City Heights, Spring Valley, Lemon Grove, El Cajon, etc. 

It is a very big oil area near Houston and people come to work and leave a lot.

The statutory definition of securities is as follows: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 foregoing.

I am not super familiar with the Houston market at least not from a real estate perspective, I believe I have heard its strong, but really someone from the area would have a better handle than myself.In the short term, I know its taken a little bit of a hit from the drop in oil.

That phrase is tossed around lightly, even by "professionals".Get proper discovery for oil tanks and such.

(forefront facts- no, i currently do not own my own home, so anything "riding" or an "umbrella" within is not possible.) i'm getting ready to place original oil paintings in vacant properties for staging (there is also an option to buy said work. not sure if this has any affect. laying out the picture.) 1. what kind of insurance do you all generally utilize with a vacant house. 2. who do you use?

Or should I look into replacing with a gas or oil furnace?