Does that include utility service to the house, a driveway, septic and well? 

IE you walk into a branch and its rare there is any customers in it..

There's a few different ways to focus on a lower rate such as with house hacking and making the investment your primary residence, requesting a significant closing credit from the sellers for standard rate buy-downs (which I've had great success with recently), or utilizing lenders who offer short term rate lowering solutions such as 2-1 rate buy downs (again, ideally paid for by the sellers).

Some expenses, such as utilities, property taxes, and interest, incurred during this period may also be capitalized.

Plus the challenge with mid term is you are generally on the hook for things like internet, utilities, etc.

My goal, over the next five years, is to utilize real estate in lieu of my current hourly consulting income, by building a portfolio of rentals.  

Think there is some substantial validity in this, but do you think it could potentially be utilized in a different fashion?

The house had the utilities turned off for the 6 years, and was filled with the original 1 owner's furniture, clothes, appliances, car and ecn food in the frig (without elctric on for 6 years). 

As a customer I would 100% want to see the outside.

- We had 2 break-in & furnace & HWH thefts there this year:(File a claim ASAP, you'll need:1) Utility bills to prove electric & gas were on2) A police report, proving a break-in3) Pics/video to prove the condition of the property to support theft claimWhat are you doing to mitigate additional damages?