I am planning to sell my home but have heard nightmare stories from coworkers concerning septic inspections. My home is about 40 years old but I have had no problems with my septic system. Should I be concerned about this?
It is true that older septic systems have more difficulty passing inspections because standards have become more stringent. In addition, results of inspections vary according to what inspectors feel is important. Some will consider your system satisfactory but add a number of concerns which creates worry in the minds of your buyers.
No one wants to own a home with a nonworking septic system. If a report shows it’s working now, but because of this or that, it may not be working in the future, you suddenly have created doubt in the minds of those interested in your home. In addition, some inspectors will go so far as to add recommended work with costs, just in case you want to hire them to do the work, creating a conflict of interest.
This sounds like doom and gloom but it doesn’t have to be. When meeting with a real estate agent to discuss listing your home, the concerns about a septic inspection should be part of the conversation. One way to offset a negative septic inspection report would be to get your own inspection before you put your home on the market, using a septic inspector who is reasonable and fair, especially one who is not profiting from projected problems.
Like many other facets of selling, a passing septic inspection report is not guaranteed. But working with your agent to offset problems will many times result in an easier, more profitable sale.
If you have real estate questions, contact me – Esther Prosser, Stoltzfus Realtors, PO Box 20, Elverson, PA 19520, esther@stoltzfus.com, 484-269-7153.
