Because our lovely state is at or below freezing temperatures for such a large portion of the year, banks and sellers with vacant homes will hire a plumber to winterize the property in an effort to preserve the plumbing during the cold temperatures. Winterizing a property will include, but is not limited to; turning the main water valve off inside the home, blowing out all water pipes to clear them of any remaining water, pouring anti-freeze (or comparable solution) down all drains and toilets, disconnecting the water meter, draining the water heater, draining the boiler and last but not least, blowing out the sprinkler system lines when there is one in place. Buyers will encounter more and more properties in this condition now through mid-Spring even.
This can easily pose a delay in the inspection and/or appraisal process for both the buyer and seller. The effects of the winterization almost always outweigh the hassle of getting the home prepped for these steps. One of the best ways to keep the process moving smoothly through the specified time frames is to ensure the winterization/de-winterization is discussed in the purchase contract. Be sure to let the listing agent know as soon as possible what day and time you'd like to inspect the home, giving at least two days notice or longer when possible. Often times the seller and/or bank will hire a separate company take care of all preservation work and orders like this must be called in to the preservation company before a vendor can perform the work. If there is a sprinkler system on the property, do check to ensure that part of the home was winterized at the same time as the rest of the plumbing. If it was winterized properly, check with your inspector and appraiser on whether it's necessary to de-winterize the system in order for them to do their jobs properly.
Once both the inspection and appraisal have been completed, the seller will more than likely require that the home be re-winterized after wards. Again, this may seem like another 'hassle' to deal with once you've closed and are ready to move in or begin repairs. However, the flip side to not having the property winterized after inspection can very easily lead to plumbing damages in the future and in turn make the home more costly to the buyer and seller in the long run.
