With our last two major renovations, we have also begun sub-metering water (we have to do it ourselves as the City has no interest in providing the service).With electrical and gas we say consumption drop (almost 20% for electrical) after moving to separate metering.

If all else fails you pretty much have to go find the pieces of the puzzle yourself: track down utility consumption figures from each provider, confirm property tax amounts with the municipality, and try and estimate what you expect you'll need for R&M and CapEx - this can be tough if you don't have a lot of experience but it's still a necessary exercise even if the seller does have solid financials to share.

This is because books about strategies are written for "general consumption" not specific application. 

Also, the meters come in handy when tracking down water consumption spikes.

@Yiming Li -if you take over the lease, you should only pay for consumption.

And insulation to reduce energy consumption might as well be non-existent in some of these. 

I absolutely agree and hope that this serves as a wake call to the dangers of building a country on consumption and dependence on foreign goods to sustain itself.

Jobs are what drive growth, consumption, price appreciation....and access to capital. 

I lead a frugal, efficient life in a city that's all about conspicuous consumption, and it's so encouraging to be reminded that smart money decisions will pay off in the not-too-distant future.

I'm living the fast-food life now...quick consumption only.