Yes, don't bring a crowbar. If you must, bring a cheap screwdriver you can ditch if you have to. Bring a flashlight, wear a dust mask, and if a floor looks unstable, chunk a chair or something in there. If it falls through, be glad you didn't walk in there. If you suspect there may be squatters, unless they're strung out or truly crazy, chances are they want to be left alone, but you can bring a pack of cigs. If you give a bum a smoke, he may be willing to tell you about a place: how to get in and out safely, where not to go, etc.
This one is a place I never actually explored. It's located at Union & Terry, just east of downtown Seattle; I don't mind giving the location because, unless you can convince the new owners you're professional paranormal hunters or something, you probably won't get in. I have no idea what it's being turned into, but it WAS the First Hill Care Center, at various times a clinic and a nursing home.
The building is a squared "C" shape, with porches screened by louvers (now removed) on the recessed front wall, air porches for elderly who couldn't go downstairs easily. My favorite exploration partner took me there with his GF, who used to work security there; at this time it was unused, but fenced and locked. The building was "unsafe" and security only went in as far as an office and a restroom, walking a beat around the outside. Her boss only came by once a night, so one night after he made his visit, she headed into the cafeteria for a look. She started to go upstairs, and says that at this point, she got a feeling so powerful she could put it into clear words. It wasn't oppressive, or scary, or anything like that, but the message seemed to be, "You shouldn't be here. You do NOT want to be here. Time to leave now!" She left and went back to her office.
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