Activating Utilities in Buyers name?

[Matt Overbee]

Hi all,

I've been trying to prep to purchase one of these Hubzu auction REO properties. Finding a lender that will close without turning water on (hubzu policy) has been challenging to say the least.

I read somewhere about some people just turning the water on in their own names (buyer name) for inspections/appraisals. Is this unusual, or fairly the norm in your experiences?

[Sharad M.]

Hi Matt,

Would the lender be okay with letting you purchase the property by doing a pressure test? In some of the cities I invest, the city requires ownership documents before they would turn the water on. And even then, they would only turn the water on, if there are no leaks before the main valve in the house.

Sharad