I am currently studying Biomedical Engineering in Miami, FL and will be finishing this Fall.

I miss the heated weather where I can wear shorts, so Texas would be nice right now.Hey Marc Bodinger, I currently own and manage a condo (more of a town home in my opinion), and a town house my mother recently bought.

Comps in the area are dicey since they are all small, older homes ('70-'71s) and some have not been upgraded like ours (most do not have central heat/air, patios, etc).We'd just like to go on to the next deal at this point and want to do it ourselves so we need the cash.

The PSOA states "Seller will deliver the Property, including existing appliances, heating, cooling, plumbing, electrical systems and equipment, smoke and heat detectors, and landscaping and lawn, in substantially the same physical condition as on the Settlement Date and broom clean with all trash and debris removed."

I'm going to install heat tape, but want to know about protecting it fully.

Also, both units use oil heat, should I put some kind of clause in rental contract saying that they must keep the tanks filled and that I will start them off with "X" amount of gallons.

Read here:http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/311/topics/101132-reserve-money-amounts-in-accountsReserves are set aside for replacement of major systems (like roof and heating system), and for operation in the event of vacancy.

Has no damage from Sandy or Irene, but has lots of neglect from past owners from 2001 to today.It's a 3 season only, though they did winterize it many years ago with insulation, forced air heat and A/C, but the septic is not adequate for winter use.I went to the town hall to ask about that, (and this is were I'm not sure what I'm asking or what they're talking about) the last "Perk Test" was in 2000 and measured 16.75", the town won't allow the septic for all year use unless the Perk masseurs at a minimum of 18".I asked about adding a little dirt to the property and there telling me it won't make a difference for the 18" high water line has to be with the original natural dirt so adding won't make a difference.It's a short sale and the banks looking for 550K, the comps for this as a 3 season is about 750K but as a year round residence it would be more like 950K.Any ideas around this 18"?

A bake out is heating the building to relatively high temperatures.

@Cuong Le While wood textured tile might be nice in Texas, extensive use of tile floors are not big attraction in places where you have *real* winter (unless you have in-floor radiant heat).Jessica:A good engineered hardwood may not be a lot cheaper than the real hardwood, but it will allow for refinishing.