Don't wait until your roommate put grease down the drain to have the conversation he is responsible for that plumber bill. 

Also found a small hole on the base of the front porch blocked with rocks from the previous owner.Will this be covered by insurance?

I would highly suggest walking before you purchase and talking with neighbors about how your particular block is like to live on.Soutb & West Jackson offer a lot of opportunity, but it is a rough area.

@Gert Dervishaj I would stay away from the Cross Street/ Oliver street block, the Henry Street block, and the Mechanic Street block.

Another full duplex sold same block a few houses down 117k during the due diligence phase.

Another full duplex sold same block a few houses down 117k during the due diligence phase.

Time you don’t get back and if you look at it purely from a business perspective, it’s a drain.

If you don't want that, it may be better to remove it, if it's not a requirement in your market.In general, for a 1970 house:The drain plumbing might be cast iron. 

My houses on this block used to be the two best--and they were pretty bad at first.

One major problem with developing is the cost over-runs you run into with bring in sewer from the street, water mains, fire hydrants, underground electric, storm drains, streets, street lights and many years of getting plans approved.