But like you see all over BP right now many are leaking oil badly and small investors in funds or syndication's that are not working are literally helpless to fix their situation.

Houston and Dallas are more effected by oil than Austin and right now oil is a problem. 

It's probably an oil-based paint and could be cleaned before priming with Kilz or some other product.

@Joey AllisonYou're welcome.Just to follow up: concrobium is a great product, equally or more effective than bleach in all applications, but superior for cleaning dimensional lumber.I didn't mention oil-based Kilz Original interior primer in my first post but I use gallons of the stuff in the old houses I work in during the renovation phase.

Buy the car, detail it, throw some new tires and brakes on it, change the oil, wiper blades, and try to get $9k.

I usually pay about $2.50/sq ft for hardwood refinishing (sanding to bare wood and 2-3 coats of oil based poly)).

I am a retired USAF officer/pilot, currently working (way too hard) as a Sales Engineer in the oil and gas business and stock options trader.  

Some things Houston offers that are so hard to find in any other markets:Critical mass (4 th largest city and still growing fast)Low cost of entry and housing cost 30% below other large cities  (buy a $150K house that rents for $1,500/mnth)Diverse and resilient economy and population** passed NYC for most diverse city int he nation last year, Lost >80,000 oil and gas jobs in last 2 years and still put on more jobs than we lost (highest employment rate in city's history today)   Still great TK opportunity here, I work with them everyday ;-)Houston (and TX) are creating jobs as fast or faster than any other area, this is drawing people to the area, they need housing, there is a shortage of available, affordable,  quality housing.

My monthly expenses with two car payments, insurance, and various repairs and miscellaneous expenses (washes, oil changes, etc)  are about 1500/month.  

I basically worked on a ranch growing up, eventually worked in the oil field in order to make enough money to get through college and law school.