Real estate transactions require all parties involved in the buying or selling of a home to adhere to strict legal requirements. Residential properties must be equipped with a sewage disposal system, and many homes rely on septic tanks for waste disposal.
Failure to disclose that a septic tank is in poor condition during the sale of a residential property could result in serious legal disputes. Septic inspections are designed to help everyone involved in real estate transactions obtain the peace of mind that comes from knowing a property's septic tank is not damaged, leaking, full, or otherwise compromised.
A comprehensive septic inspection will protect the interests of real estate agents, buyers, and sellers.
REAL ESTATE AGENTS
Many real estate agents demand septic inspections for all properties they choose to represent. Referrals and word-of-mouth generate a lot of business for real estate agents. Regularly inspecting properties allows real estate agents to ensure they are associated only with quality residential properties. This can enhance an agent's reputation and contribute to greater success in the future.
A comprehensive septic inspection can also provide real estate agents with the information they need to avoid getting caught up in costly litigation. When real estate agents help a client buy a property with a faulty septic system and do not recommend having the property inspected by a septic professional prior to closing, the buyers can bring legal action against the agent.
Real estate professionals have a duty to protect the interests of their clients. Negligence can be proven in court when inspections are not recommended. Real estate agents should protect themselves and their businesses by having each residential property they list undergo a septic inspection.
BUYERS
The purchase of a residential property will be one of the most significant financial investments an individual can make during his or her lifetime. Because the purchase price of most homes is high, buyers want to know exactly what they are getting themselves into before signing a legally binding contract to take over ownership of a property.
Residences with septic tanks can come with a host of hidden problems. Buyers can get stuck with a home that needs extensive (and costly) septic repairs if a septic inspection isn’t completed. A comprehensive septic inspection can also benefit buyers by providing a rough estimate when it comes to future maintenance costs.
An experience septic inspector will be able to calculate the tank and drainfield sizes, determine the accessibility of the septic tank, and verify how far waste must be hauled after a septic tank is pumped. These are all factors that can affect maintenance costs, and they are factors that can be assessed during a prepurchase septic inspection.
SELLERS
When listing a residential property, the sellers have a legal obligation to provide potential buyers with accurate information regarding the condition of the property. For homes with septic systems, this means giving a detailed account of the condition of the septic system as a whole.
A thorough septic inspection can provide information regarding the waste level inside a septic tank, the presence of any major repair work, and the types of components utilized in the construction of the septic system. This information can inform potential buyers, allowing them to make an educated decision when it comes to placing an offer on a property.
Without an accurate septic inspection completed by a third-party inspector, a seller could be liable for any repairs or damages discovered by the new owners once the real estate transaction is complete.
Contact Pete's Outflow Technicians to schedule a comprehensive septic inspection that will protect your interests in a real estate transaction.
