I had my plumber fix all the burst pipes and when he repaired the pipe close to the boiler water supply he discovered oil boiler had developed cracks on it spewing water onto the floor.Is this covered by homeowners insurance?

I would love granite but lite color will show stains from oils left on the surface.

It's my understanding that Utah's growth is primarily driven by high tech and oil and gas but I'm not familiar beyond that high level.

Is your the local economy where your property is located affected by the fall in oil prices?  

There has also been more stability in the Edmonton housing market as Calgary seems to be more directly impacted by the ebbs and flows of the oil market, where Edmonton has the stability of the public sector.

If you want better initial cash flow, you need to look at more working class areas (lemon Grove, El Cajon, Escondido, Spring Valley, National City, etc.).Many years ago we purchased a duplex. 

Oil?

I am currently a corporate accountant in the oil industry.

Landlord pays for oil heat.

And depending on fuel needs, if it is oil the oil tanks are often empty in REO properties I've visited.