Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Wendy Rulnick on February 16, 2010 at 1:37am

Deborah - I always prefer utilities on.

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Permalink Reply by VIctor T. Gurrola on February 22, 2010 at 1:33pm

Save yourself a whole lot of heart ache and keep them on! When it comes to inspections, the buyer’s inspector will likely ask for the utilities to be on in order to properly do the inspection.

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Permalink Reply by Toby Boyce on February 23, 2010 at 9:00am

My feeling is: it all depends. We have cold weather here in Ohio, so I always prefer to have the homes winterized when they become vacant. It will need to be turned on by the buyer but that is stated in the agreement. Anything can happen and if the plumbing bursts the deal is (probably) not going to come together.

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Permalink Reply by Steele V. Propp on February 23, 2010 at 1:28pm

As a long time REO listing agent I am generally required to leave the utilities on. Although we have the heat on at a lower temp (55 degrees or so) we will also winterize the property if it is between November and April.

But we're in Minnesnowta.

Seriously, the properties show better and make for a better inspection when you have an offer. Believe me, walk into a totally frozen house in the middle of winter and you won't be there long.

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Permalink Reply by D'Adrea Davie on February 26, 2010 at 5:48am

I would leave the utilities on and shut them off at the box. The last thing you want is to have the seller to have to get them back on for any needed reason while in escrow.

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Permalink Reply by Jeff Payne on August 31, 2010 at 8:14am

Utilities on is easier for sure. Every short sale offer that we recieve gets an addendum added that says "If utilities need to be activated for buyers inspections, appraisals or for the buyers convenience, buyer will be responsible for activating the utilities at buyers expense" Sure save me alot of money getting power turned on :)

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