With the current glut of foreclosed houses hitting the market and with the real estate market slowing down, many houses are sitting empty for long periods of time before being sold.  There are several items to check for on a house that has been abandoned for a significant period of time that could mean costly repairs:

Structural Damage

Water that accumulates in the basement and stays there for months can wreak havoc on the structure of the house.  Check steel posts for excessive rust near the floor.  A good home inspector can help you analyze the seriousness of cracks in brick and concrete basement walls that could be major repairs.

Damage to Utilities

If water has accumulated in the basement, the furnace, hot water heater, washer and dryer, and electrical panel may have been seriously rusted, possibly beyond repair.

Damage from Humidity

An abandoned house can trap humidity.  An excessively humid house can lead to rusting out of the heating and air conditioning ducts, rust to electrical wiring, warping of dry-wall causing nail-pops and curved walls.

Plumbing Problems

Pipes can break during the winter making a huge mess if nobody’s home to turn off the water.  In addition, toilets that are not used regularly will tend to have mechanics that rot out and the toilets could run constantly.  Sinks may leak and not function properly.

Break-ins

Abandoned houses are playgrounds for teenagers.  Windows may have the locks or glass broken, doors may have had jams broken, garage doors could have broken mechanics from being forced open.

Pests

Bees, rodents, and more will make a house their home if they’re not actively kept out.

Just remember that everything deteriorates unless maintained, and while the bargain you get in purchasing an abandoned house could be significant, make sure you have a home inspector tell you how much really needs to be done for you to reclaim that property.