,I see a lot of listed properties that have one or more utilities in common.There was one in Caldwell that had Electricity shared between 2 units, and a lot of them have either water or gas shared between one or all units.Anyone have any experience in separating out utilities(Electricity OR Water OR Gas)?

I bring a cheap (about $8) electrical tester that you plug into an outlet, to see if the outlet is wired properly.  

Can the cost to install a submeter for utilities be tax deductible? I would have assumed yes but I know many landlords who havent done it so maybe not? 

Item Cost Life years Months Cost Per Month Roof $ 6,000.00 25 300 $ 20.00 HVAC $ 4,500.00 15 180 $ 25.00 Hot H2O $ 550.00 8 96 $ 5.73 Flooring Carpet $ 1,800.00 5 60 $ 30.00 Flooring Laminate Wood $ 1,800.00 10 120 $ 15.00 Interior Paint $ 2,500.00 6 72 $ 34.72 Exterior Paint $ 3,000.00 8 96 $ 31.25 Revamp Plumbing $ 1,500.00 20 240 $ 6.25 Revamp Electrical $ 3,500.00 30 360 $ 9.72 Misc $ 200.00 1 12 $ 16.67 Monthly CapEx Allowance _ _ _ $ 179.34 

My plan is to completely gut the house and have everything new - electrical, mechanical, etc.

There are some electrical issues. 

If a probate has been opened, you need to determine who is the PR and their level of powers (full or limited).

Yeah, returns are only mediocre when looking at real estate as an investment with out the power of leverage and taxes.

I did find that electricity jumped for a couple weeks especially as I had crews in the place all day, and an agent advised me of the FHA rule after I was into the project by 21 days.Essentially it was the little stuff I hadn't planned on - this was a condo and a "resale certificate" is necessary... another few hundred unplanned, mandatory "dryer vent cleaning" (albeit I cannot fine this anywhere in the rules/regs of the association, its just cheaper to do it rather than fight it), cabinet pulls (after replacing counter tops, faucets and fixtures)... all in I came up with another $1400 of unplanned expense, eating up roughly 50% of my contingency budget!

I don't mind buying a house that might need roof work, minor plumbing/electrical, drywall and paint.