Something also to remember when buying a winterized home. Always insist that the home be un-winterized. Although many bank owned homes are sold as is, you have the right to a complete inspection. Sometimes an air pressure test is recommend as a substitute for an inspection with water presure. There are 2 problems with this.

1. It is nearly impossible to find a plumber that is willing to perform an air pressure test. Even more dificult to find one that will stand behind the test. Call around before you choose this option.
2. An air pressure test will usually not pressurize certain portions of the plumbing system and may not detect small leaks and portions of the plumbing system that are only damaged. There may be leaks at a later time.

There ia no way of knowing what happened to a bank owned property befeore it was foreclosed. Many times the gas is shut off for non payment, before the house was winterized. Other times the winterizing plumber is the culprit. The most perilous type of bank owned property is one with hot water baseboard heat. These type of properties are rarely winterized correctly. I recommend a complete inspection by an experienced inspector and a warranty on the mechanical systems to give maximum protection. For more information on inspections and to ask me questions, see my website at http://www.coloradoprofessionalinspections.com.