access to empty house during redemption period

[Sharon Rayko]

We just purchased a home at a sheriff's auction in MI which allows a 6 month redemption period.  The house is empty, the homeowner has moved out.  While the electricity is still on, the water has been shut off.  So far we haven't had any direct contact with the homeowner (she is undergoing surgery and we don't want to bother her), but have been granted access to the property (w/homeowner's knowledge) through a neighbor.  Question:  I've read that the lender's agent is the only one who can deem a property "abandoned" in order to reduce the redemption period to 30 days.  If the homeowner was willing to sign a waiver, wouldn't that be acceptable?  What if we showed she had a new address, turned the water off, etc.?  If she gives us her garage door remote, we're legally allowed to be in the building.  Do we need to wait to turn the water on?  If we have to wait the 6 months, what do we do at the end of the time period since we won't have to evict her?