On REOs, HUDs, VAs and other you can get inside but most of the time the utilities are shut off, and heat has been off for a long time at least one winter, in some cases more than one winter and are possible freeze damage to water pipes, hot water heat pipes and even boilers/hotwater heaters. 

Sewage lines in Texas used cast iron pipes before 1970s and they are rusting out.....hence I don't buy older than 1980 homes.  

Hopefully it’s just issues with your drain piping, which is a quick fix.

There's no one home to put the fire out or turn the water off if a pipe burst.

Also watch for mold since the pipes froze.Sounds like you are doing some nice upgrades.

The catch is it must be vacant 90 days and winters in Vermont are expensive to heat the building so the pipes don't freeze requiring costly plumbing repairs.So this property may be eligible for up to $130k in grant money and rental income guaranteed by the state!

I purchased my Los Angeles (Compton) 4-bedroom home in 2013 for 240K; according to Redfin, it is now worth 686K. 2 years ago the entire house was completely renovated (Insurance claim) due to a burst pipe that caused extensive damage while vacant. 

Property is in okay condition but has some leaking pipes in basement and needs  a water line for the 2nd unit to have better water pressure.

The roof is terrible and there are leaking pipes.

And then when a pipe bursts, I can get a 2nd on the house from Billy Bob's ira for 5k(fix the 3k pipe and still have 2k in the ira for other issues).