A system I've developed in my business is I pay 1/4 of the project upfront for the contractor to buy materials and then we develop a weekly "draw schedule" for the remaining amount.

The layout of the condo is strange where the hotwater heater is located in the garage (which is deeded to another unit(unit 3)) and the water and HVAC system are located in a utility closet in another unit(unit 1).

Obviously a French drain system would need to be installed outside.

Specifically if a given property has updated systems and is held for a shorter period, the Cap Ex budgeted would be lower than a long-term hold with dated plumbing, electrical and requiring a new roof.Better to over estimate and have plenty of reserves just in case instead of the alternative.

., I've never experimented with the self showing system because I agree that it seems risky.

If you're looking for sense in old plumbing and wiring runs, you're gonna go mad.Often stuff like this comes from many generations of people coming in and doing little repairs without thinking the whole system through, just trying to get something to work in the moment.

Long story short they guy spent thousands of dollars on a french drain system when just regrading could have helped. 9/10 times regrading would solve this.

What if a roof or major system goes out?

Sellers have to asses odds when choosing a buyer (do they have a good broker and support system, do they have the funds ready to go, is their proposed loan terms reasonable for the market are they trying a hair brained loan that has a little chance of happening?)

Think about foundation, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, water heater, and all the other components that make up a house system, each of which has its own useful lifespan.