Tips for Newbies

[Bryan L.]

When you buy a new property, especially one that has been vacant (like an REO or estate property), one of the first things that you will want to do is get the utilities re-connected. Before going to the utility departments, be sure to turn the main breaker off, shut off all gas appliances and furnaces, close all water valves, etc. When you go to get the utilities connected, be sure to tell them that the house has set empty and that there may be leaks. They should unlock only, and should not turn on (this is especially true for the water and gas). Most workers at the utility departments will watch the meter to see if there is a lot of flow, but I still always tell them to "unlock only".

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