Why you should winterize a vacant house.

[Flakey]

Biggest PIA for me lately are winterized properties for FHA and HUD transactions. Nobody wants to de-winterize for inspections then have to winterize again before closing (I don't blame them). Then everyone howls about final inspections and fees. Based on the reactions I get sometimes when I ask about utilities before the inspection, I feel like I am the only one actually checking. I hate final inspections. No one seems to remember one is needed until the last minute, then I'm suppoesd to drop everything and go.

 

[JRS at OBX]

A couple years ago I was doing an exterior for a second home refi, or so the order said. I went by the house and noticed a frozen waterfall coming from the rear of the house, third floor deck. The whole back of the house was frozen.

I called the borrower only to find out that this was not a refi but a preforeclosure. You have to love a client that will lie to you on the engagement letter. Luckily the guy already knew about the problem and was very friendly.

 

[TRESinc]

almost as bad as the banks that instantly shut off all utilities when they foreclose on a house. did one a few years ago and when i walked in i saw mold all over the first floor. went to the second floor and it was all over there as well. went to the finished attic and the same thing. went down to the basement and found the problem - no electricity means no sump pump, which caused about 5' of water to pool up in the basement. it sat so long that the mold worked it's way to the attic.

so by saving a few dollars in an electric bill they caused thousands upon thousands of dollars in damages.

 

[G-man]

almost as bad as the banks that instantly shut off all utilities when they foreclose on a house. did one a few years ago and when i walked in i saw mold all over the first floor. went to the second floor and it was all over there as well. went to the finished attic and the same thing. went down to the basement and found the problem - no electricity means no sump pump, which caused about 5' of water to pool up in the basement. it sat so long that the mold worked it's way to the attic.

so by saving a few dollars in an electric bill they caused thousands upon thousands of dollars in damages.

Yep, I've seen that as well. And it's usually newer homes, as older homes typically don't have sump pumps. Every once in a while, the lender/owner has a brain, and leaves the electric & heat on, which not only saves the home from potential water damage, but makes the home easier to sell once it's back on the market.

 

[Vermonter]

Luckily most of my area doesn't have public water, so well pumps get shut off with the electricity. Pipes freeze and pop, but not much water damage.