Ironically, (if that is the correct word) there is a large hospital emergency room about 2,000 feet from where I live.

Luckily natural gas pipes are normally iron, so not worth stealing.No lender will fund a residential loan on a home without all of the major systems working, but you should be able to fund it with an FHA 203K renovation loan. 

The old wood turns hard as iron---if it is not termite damaged, then it can turn to sawdust!  

Hello,I have a small balcony with iron railings on the perimeter rooted in concrete and the entire area is covered with tiles.

Ironically over the last 10 years with the benefit of time and hard-fought wins in the legal framework we have given individuals choice back.

Ironically, if you can get really good at navigating/managing to the rules here it can actually be a competitive advantage. 

If it is "single family" zoned (ironic quotes) and in an area of similar,   it could make more sense to invest the work in it.In my case I sold the duplex in georgetown  (exactly 10 years to the day after purchasing it) to a townhouse developer who owned an adjacent lot,   making my lot worth more to them than other developers.   

If not, and if the townhome was built in 2006, it's not like the line is decades old cast iron, this sounds like a waste of money. 

Stone foundations, cast iron sewer main stacks, & outdated electrical systems (knob & tube) are a few things to watch for.

There is a 160 sq ft patio area just behind the house that could be used for a BBQ or fire pit.