Repairs made during redemption period in Texas

[Ondrece Love]

I purchased a home from a sheriff tax sale in texas.  The home was abandoned by the owner.  It's not in a great area so it has been gutted by neighbors that like to take metal to the scrap yard to get a few dollars.  Anyway, the house claims a homestead exemption although the person hasn't lived there in about 4 years. 

My first question is does the homestead rule of 2 years still stand if the property was abandoned?  If not, how do I get it reduced?

My second question is what repairs can be made to make the house livable again.  I know structural but not cosmetic.  However, this will be a complete redo because the electrical and plumbing has been removed.  This is fine because I can bring everything up to code and get the work done cheap.

I don't imagine that the previous owner would ever come back but I want to be on the safe side. 

Thanks for your responses.

[Richard C.]

Not a question where you want to rely on posters on an internet forum.  Call a lawyer.  Well worth a couple of hundred bucks to be sure of the answer and have recourse to his malpractice insurance if he gives you the wrong answer.