Viewing a home that has not been occupied in 3 years

[Adam B.]

Hello! I am brand new to real estate. I am going to view a home next week with my agent. If all goes well with the property, I plan on buying, moving in and renting out the extra bedrooms for a year or two. Eventually I will move out and rent out the entire house.

My agent told me that the home is a short sale and that the owner has not lived in it for the passed 3 years. This is the first property that I will be viewing that has not been recently occupied. As a novice, I'm looking for any good advice. I am concerned about utilities not being on, and finding out if there are problems related to that, that I would not anticipate if heat, electric, and water were on.

Does anyone have experience with this, and tips for me to prepare before I view the home? Thanks!