Buying or Selling a Home with a Septic System-What you Should Know
Buying or Selling a Home with a Septic System-What you Should Know
If you are looking to buy or sell a home on an acre or more in Delaware or Chester county, chances are the property will be served by an on-lot septic system. Next to a new roof, a septic system is probably the single most expensive component of your home. Because it can’t be seen, it’s often the last thing people think about and the first thing that can kill a real estate transaction.
Historic Milltown/Hickman Plank House in East Goshen with outhouse.
When it comes to real estate, the less surprises the better, which is why I advocate proactive planning on all levels, and especially when it comes to septic systems.
If you are selling a home with a septic system, knowing its condition before you list makes a huge difference in how you market and price your property and who you market to.
If you are buying a home with a septic system, knowing its condition prior to writing an agreement will save you weeks of inspection time–or just spare you from a property all together. In my experience, the biggest issue for buyers and sellers with regard to septic systems is the uncertainty involved due to the time needed to test, design and install a system.
Like other inspections on the Pennsylvania Agreement of Sale, the septic inspection is an optional inspection elected by the buyer. Unlike a home inspection, it may take longer to get on the calendar of a reliable inspector, simply because there fewer of them. A septic inspection can range from $250 to $1000, depending on the system. Some buyers may balk at spending the additional money. However, considering a simple repair can cost $250 and a replacement can cost upwards to $30,000, it is money well spent. This is also why, as a seller, you are giving the buyer a valuable gift when you present them with a property that has been pre-inspected. You are also saving yourself from weeks of preventable stress once you’ve received an offer on your property.
A septic system has many components–all underground. Pictured here: a newly installed system: holding tanks, pump and piping leading to the drain field.
For most systems, there are multiple components to a septic inspection: 1) the tank and its parts are inspected to make sure they are in good order 2) a probe of the drain field and 3) if warranted, a hydraulic load test. There are as many inspections as there are septic systems. In the interest of brevity, and because I am not a septic expert, I am keeping this as simple as possible. According to the Pennsylvania Agreement of Sale, the seller is responsible for identifying and providing access to the system. The septic inspection also differs in that the seller is responsible for any pumping (if required) and returning the yard to its previous condition.
Some sellers have their system cleaned before they list their property. It is important to note that having a system cleaned is not the same as having a system tested. If you are considering this, call a reliable inspector or trusted realtor first!
This is what a drain field looks like. A long trench, filled with pipes running the length of the field, covered by crushed stone, then covered with soil.
If the system passes, that’s great and the deal can move forward. If it fails, negotiations can become tenuous for both buyer and seller. A “failed” system can still work fine; it just means that the system is not performing to testing standards.
“Failing,” usually refers to the hydraulic load test, which measures the absorption capacity of the system by introducing water into the system over a period of time and measuring how long it takes to absorb.
Once the system has been identified as “failed,” the buyer can terminate or ask for a repair or replacement. Many buyers assume the seller is required to replace a failed system. However, like everything else, this is a negotiable term.
If the seller accepted a low offer on the property, they may not be inclined to install a new system, or they may not have the means to do so. A seller may further reason that once the system is replaced, the home will become more marketable and will be worth more money. Maybe it will, maybe it won’t.
The buyer may point out that a septic system is just another utility, like electricity or water, and should be in good working order. Accordingly, if the septic system is not replaced, the seller goes back to square one, with the failed system added to the disclosure and potentially pushing out the sale another 45-60 days. So, it may be in the seller’s best interest to replace the system. As you can see, there is no one “right” answer and the solution needs to be worked out and agreed to by each party to the transaction.
The Agreement of Sale provides contingencies at each step, and it is important to read and understand this part of the contract thoroughly or be working with someone who does.
Replacing a septic system is not as simple as repairing a window or replacing a roof. Before an estimate can be obtained, perc and soil tests need to be performed. These tests require permits from the local health department. It is the seller’s responsibility to apply for the permit and hire a licensed septic contractor to perform the tests. A health official must be present, and in a busy real estate market, this process can take two weeks or more. Once the tests have been completed, a plan can be designed for seller and buyer review and approved by the proper governmental authorities. This can take another week or more. All the while, the clock is ticking on other contingencies on the Agreement of Sale. Buyers and sellers need to be cognizant of their responsibilities and other contract contingencies during this time.
With information in hand, the seller can decide whether to replace the system. Assuming everyone comes to agreement, the work can start. Installation follows, and if the weather cooperates, the job can be completed and approved in a week or so.
It is important to note that the length of the septic contingency is unlike any other in the Agreement of Sale because the steps listed above can easily exceed the 45-60 day escrow period. The uncertainty is caused by the protracted nature of the septic process where neither the buyer nor the seller know whether the deal is moving forward. So, while there are a lot of great things about septic systems (and many systems test fine), buyers and sellers need to understand that time and patience are essential. Being flexible with settlement dates is not always easy when you consider rate locks, school or job start dates or the settlement of other properties.
Disclaimer: This content of this article and website is for informational purposes only and should not be used in lieu of a qualified professional or governmental authority.
Joe Walls and team in front of completed job awaiting final inspection by the township inspector.
If you are considering listing your home, now is the perfect time for a pre-sale consultation with a licensed septic contractor or full inspection by a licensed inspector. If your system fails and it needs to be replaced, it would be wise to have the appropriate tests performed and get a design, if possible.
Even if you are not able to replace your system, you will be giving yourself and your future buyer valuable information that will aid in everyone’s decision-making, reducing the uncertainty that can cloud a transaction.
Like any other repair to your home, if you decide to install a new septic system, doing itbefore you list your property keeps you in control of the timing and terms, without the pressure of the dates and timeframes outlined in the Agreement of Sale. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and being proactive will enable you to move forward selling your home with one less worry.
As a Delaware County/Chester county area expert, I have sold many homes with septic systems. If you are thinking of buying a home with a septic system or listing your home with a septic system, Contact me to arrange a no-obligation buyer or seller consultation.
Many thanks to Joseph Walls for his expertise and his team and the homeowner for allowing me to photograph this newly installed system!
Disclaimer: Although this article was writting about the Pennsylvania Agreement of Sale, the information is certainly useful to British Columbians purchasinga home with a septic system.
Turtle Tanks Septic Systems, servicing British Columbia
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