The US Air Force was hiring for tech jobs, and I was a tech nerd.  

If that's all you are doing and have cold feet, stay in a fund, annuities can be had from insurance agents.Besides the money, I liked knowing my money wasn't backing some sleezy corporation, polluting the ground or air, wasn't used to make people fat or die, that it had a social purpose, built dreams for families, kept an elderly person in their home, gave people a chance to build a nest egg or go into business.

As the last comment said, know what area you are buying in because there are a lot of not-so-hot "locals".

HVAC-Boiler or forced air? 

You have a laundry room, so most probably there is a house meter and a house hot water heater.What about lawn care and (if necessary) snow removal?

Dallas is a super hot market!

Here’s the background; I have a newly remodeled two story, two family home that has all new pex plumbing, new hot water tanks, new fixtures, and a new water line from the street with a new valve at the main and everything is on one meter.

Air credit card.

I personally Love hot weather, and am always freezing here.

I know the Chicago area has been pretty hot for some time now.