Homes in the USA have two main options for dealing with wastewater generated from the house. Homes within the city or town limits are usually hooked to the centrally-managed municipal sewer systems.
But if your home is outside the city or town limit, you probably have a septic system. Septic systems are not as uncommon as we assume; one in five USA homes rely on them.
If your house has a septic system and you are thinking of putting your home on the market, you may be wondering how the condition of the septic system can affect the property’s value.
If a buyer conducts a septic system inspection before paying for your home, will that inspection affect the market value of your home?
Impact of septic system inspections on property value
According to Graf Management, septic system inspections are essential because buyers often view buying homes with septic tank systems as riskier than a home with a sewer system. Some of the issues buyers are concerned about when buying a home with a septic system are:
- Lack of proper maintenance
- Damaged baffle or dip pipe
- Overage septic tank
- Improperly-installed septic system
- Malfunctioning leach field
- Damage by a tree or plant roots
- Damage by seismic activities
- Problems caused by hydrostatic pressure
Since the septic system is underground, buyers have no way of knowing if these issues are present with the septic system. The only way to determine the condition and operability of the septic tank system is with a septic system inspection.
Depending on the type of problem, the cost of fixing a damaged septic system ranges from $650 to $2950. But the issue for buyers is not always the cost of fixing the problems. Buyers also want to avoid the uncertainty that there may be future issues with the system.
Septic system problems can scare buyers away or give them a reason to make a low offer for your home. Considering that a septic system inspection only costs between $200 and $900 (with $500 being the average cost), is this a risk you can afford to take?
Why you need a septic system inspection when selling your home
A septic system inspection can be done by a buyer or seller. Depending on who orders the inspection, and when they do, it can boost or lower the value of the home. It is always in a seller’s best interest to conduct a septic system inspection before listing their home.
If a septic system inspection is done before the home is listed, it gives confidence to everyone involved in the sale; seller, buyer and estate agent. Conducting a septic system inspection before listing your home can boost the value of your property.
That is because you not only know the problems with your septic system but can also fix those issues or at least inform buyers about them. This proactive approach does two essential things for you as a seller.
Buyers are more trusting when you are upfront about the issues with your home’s septic system. Buyers also assume that you will apply the same care and honesty to other areas of the property.
The result is buyers will not be able to use the septic system issues in your home as the basis for negotiating a lower price. That is because you would have already factored in the cost of fixing the problem into your asking price and informed the buyer of the issues beforehand.
How septic system inspections are done
A septic system inspection has two parts: a visual inspection and a full inspection.
During the visual inspection:
- Water pressure is checked for internal and external faucets
- Toilets are inspected and flushed to ensure they are running properly
- The drain field is inspected for any standing water
The full inspection is a more painstaking examination of the septic system, and it involves:
- Removing the lid to assess the water level inside the septic tank
- Ensure proper flow of water into the septic tank by turning on all the faucets in the home
- A visual inspection of the drainage for signs of backflow due to leakage or blockages
Other problems the inspector will look out for are puddles around the septic tank, lush vegetation in isolated spots, septic tank odors and signs of impending backups. If problems are detected during the inspection, the inspector might recommend further investigations or suggest a septic tank pumping service to come out.
Does your home have a septic tank system, and are you about to sell the property?
You can sell your home faster if you get a septic system inspection before listing the house. Even if you do not intend to fix the issues, you will know they are there, and you can give buyers an idea of how much it will cost them to fix the problems.