Flipper/Rehabber · Golden, CO · Member since 2013 · 590 posts · 319 votes
What are some things to look for when purchasing a home that has been unoccupied for several years (4)? Considering the utilities will not be on, how do you know the pipes are ok, fixtures, electric/ heat works when you cannot test any of this stuff when looking? Seems like a home that has not been occupied for years could have several underlying issues. Could anyone share their expereince with buying these type of properties.
You can get the utilities hooked up for an inspection. This is regularly done with listed properties but often at the expense of the buyer.
I often buy vacant boarded up properties. I just assume substantial work will be done. I base my offer accordingly. After a while you start to learn what to look for.
A very good book on inspecting properties is "Inspecting a House" by Carson Dunlop & Associates. Good luck - Ned
If it has been vacant a while, I'd be curious if you can even turn on the utilities. Around here if the electric meter has been removed, you have to get reinspected to get it turned on... that inspection requires it to be to current code, not the code of 1955 (when my house was built). On a gas line, you may be required to get a pressure check prior.
I'd have the sewer line checked out for sure. That was my biggest concern because I knew I was going to redo electical and plumbing.
I just did a vacant house that was really in bad shape. It was a lot of work. I won't be doing it again soon.
Unless it was winterized (water drained from systems and traps filled with anti-freeze, you can count on shattered pipes, toilets, water heaters, traps. Very possibly squatters, both human and animal.