I have just started looking at properties and the first SFH we toured had just had the furnace and water heater stolen! 

Sewer and water in my area is around 10k a unit.

First of all, let me pay my respects to the hardworking people in real estate and the treacherous waters they navigate—fronting hours of effort with only the chance of commissions and an abundance of non-forthright people out there.

Their home has been vacant for over 4 years and is uninhabitable as the city water dept cut off service due to a faulty septic system spilling sewage in both our backyards.

OP, keep in mind not having access to heating and sharing same water heater and etc will require an easygoing tenant in the nextgen.

As for the first, yes we'd be able to do that (for example, replacing a water heater which is the mechanical that's closest to the end of its useful life).

I'd personally say pulling your water heater out and replacing with a wall mount on demand one, would be worth the cost to have in unit washer dryer if you are staying there or renting it, it would be worth it.its always worth doing the big stuff well and correct even if you are cleaning up after someone, the long term hold always prevails, its just a little frustrating front sometimes, but hang in there!

This shall apply to single glazing and each pane in multiple glazing.Exception: Glazing that is more than 60 inches (1524 mm), measured horizontally and in a straight line, from the water’s edge of a bathtub, hot tub, spa, whirlpool or swimming pool or from the edge of a shower, sauna or steam room.

Good question, they seem to be all over the place depending on the area and I am not an insurance specialist, I think typically 1.5-2x normal rates but I could be off by a bit i have been honing in on White Hawk if you know that development and its in the pines but it does have water system with hydrants but volunteer fire department ..

Like deferred maintenance, (bad roof, worn out water heater/AC Unit, warped flooring, water damage) etc, unpaid utilities,  unpaid taxes, a second loan, unpaid HOA fees, a bad pool, bad reputation, sometimes squatters, sometimes they were drug houses, and so on.