How to enter abandoned houses with caution?

[Jamarr Lee]

I have a motivated seller who wants to sell his property. But the property is abandoned and he told me I can get in the house, because the door is open. He also told me that it has been a homeless guy he was letting stay there. I want to go down and go inside the house but I don't want any surprises. How should I go about handling this situation?

[Nathan Golding]

Announce your self loudly before entering and wait a few minutes after announcing your self.  Bring someone with you and a gun or at the very least pepper spray.  Search property for other people before worrying about the house condition/if you want to buy it.