It would be best if he calls the city and asks them to turn it in (although it is already on) in order to establish service for 2 reasons: (1) He's going to need to have the water on for the when the property gets inspected (banks won't loan unless everything is proven to be working) and (2) Right now the city could charge him with theft of water by turning the water back on himself (well, really the contractor did it but the city does not care). 

If he does not respond in kind tell him you are there as a care taker and he is violating the fair housing act. 

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The common areas taken care of by the HOA were all the exterior parts of the units, and the pool.

I understand the roof and A/C are fairly new.  

So my friend was VERY careful about making sure they could never get out of the backyard.  

I do not know if it will add value, it may if it is uncommon for houses in the area to be insulated. and for $250, well worth doing, it may even help prevent any pipes from freezing in the future. as far as the electric, i do not find that price too bad, the basement will be easy for them to take care of, the 1st floor, they will have to open up the switch and outlets, tie the new wire to the knob and tube and pull the new wire up using that knob and tube wire and re install the switches and outlets, there is some labor involved and is easier with 2 workers. the lights are going to be the hardest for them to do and they may have to open some walls, i would check with the electrician on that and see if you are going to have the added cost of repair and re painting. a lot of times insurance companies will not cover you if there is knob and tube in the house and it was never disclosed to them, so it would be worth it to you for the insurance protection to have it done. over all though, it seems like a good price.

You want to be very careful as well as neighborhood as U know when the values go down the risk goes way up.. and the risk is having your vacant home broken into and everything stolen. 

I've narrowed my strategy down to two routes: send mailers out to my county tax delinquent list, or select a neighborhood that is mainly vacant but is fully platted and has some new construction popping up (there is a specific neighborhood I have in mind). 

Otherwise Johnny could be totally trashing his room and nobody would even care to report it because they have no responsibility.