When showing a buyer a couple of foreclosed properties recently, the listing agent disclosed that there was prior "freeze damage" - read - burst water pipes due to water freezing.  

This is often common in unoccupied homes and during the foreclosure period where the owner is not only unable to pay the mortgage but also, unable to pay utility costs - no electricity: no power to the furnace or to the baseboard heating system. 

So when the temperature goes below 32 degrees for an extended time - pipes burst - even when the water has been turned off and "drained" - why, because you can't really completely drain a typical house - it's not set up like a beach house where winterization happens every year. 

So then, when you're representing a buyer and freeze damage is disclosed, how do you advise your client?  Don't even try to do this yourself! 

A good plumber or contractor can inspect the plumbing and make an estimate of the extend of the damage - often they drain as much water as possible from the system and then use high pressure air to find out where the leaks are located.  With a hot water heating system, this can be a real challenge - with hot air or electric baseboard heat - you're only concerned about the water pipes. 

Then once your inspector has provided his analysis - you have a professional's opinion on the damage and the mitigation.  

In the case of my client, the estimate was $6,000 to $8,000 to replace all the damaged copper pipes.  It can be negotiated but usually you have a weak position because the seller has disclosed this defect and subtracted repairs like this from the price (usually heavily discounted). 

So go ahead, show foreclosed properties and if freeze damage is disclosed - get an estimate of any repairs - if it's not disclosed and there's no heat in the house - make sure you write a contingency to have the plumbing system inspection.  Then you're in a good position to negotiate and have the seller make the necesary repairs.