You need one that SPINS!

As to some of your specific points, I don't really care if the meter is spinning (I can replace a main line for $800), I don't care if mice have chewed through wires (an electrician is $50/hour), I don't care if there are plumbing leaks (my plumber works for $50/hour), etc. -- I'm always conservative in my estimates, so if $2-3K worth of unexpected stuff comes up later, I've built in the padding in the budget.As for bigger stuff like a compressor being bad? 

In an appreciating market like ours, I will take it off your hand so fast that it makes your head spin.

In some parts of the country, yes, the meter will spin backwards, but in most parts, the utilities have caught up with this, and aren't playing ball anymore. 

Don't want to spin this topic into another direction but many of these steps will be replaced if blockchain takes off or with advancements in softwares.

We turn on the water main and realize, hmm.... seems like the flow indicator is spinning like crazy AFTER I closed all the faucets....

My mom has gotten one guy in a wheel chair to go check his mail everyday and take a spin around the building walkways to get fresh air.There is a difference between 55+ communities, assisted living, acute care facilities etc.

There is so much misinformation in this thread that my head is spinning. 

For example, I need a plumber to come look at a slow draining washer drain and a appliance repair guy coming to look at a non spinning dryer.

It's called "spin".