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Investor Series: Why sewer scopes are important

By
Real Estate Agent with Your Castle Real Estate

A LOT of agents don't advise their clients to get sewer scopes when they purchase a property. This is a major mistake.  A broken sewer can cost between $3,000 - $10,000 dollars to repair and it only costs $99 ($99Rooter - others are more expensive) to have a tech put a camera down the sewer pipe and videotape the sewer all the way to the mainline. This will tell you  and the-buyer what the condition of the sewer is.      So let's see, we pay to have the furnace inspected but a new furnace will only be about $2,000. We pay to have the roof inspected but that's probably a $4,000 job. So why don't we always inspect the sewer?  One reason is because, let's face it,  Realtors want closings. Many figure if they keep their mouth shut and don't go out of their way to recommend a sewer scope that's one less chance the deal will fall through.  Inexcusable, but all too commonplace.  Don't be a chump - get a sewer scope.

Rex Jarnagin
Your Castle Real Estate - Lafayette, CO

My advice is, just do it.  the cost of a sewer scope is nothing when compared to how much it costs to fix or replace a sewer line.

Nov 04, 2008 01:15 PM
Chuck Kane
Your Castle Real Estate - Arvada, CO

Sewer lines have blown up so many deals.  Banks and homeowners will have to negotiate the costs for replacing if a problem is found.  What is a general cost for replacement?

Nov 04, 2008 01:36 PM
Dano Keys
Your Castle Real Estate - Denver, CO

I have had to replace one sewer line and repair another.  The costs depend on what sanitiation district the property is in.  It also depends on how much of the street needs to be pulled up and replaced.

Nov 04, 2008 01:54 PM
Scott Kimball
Your Castle Real Estate - Parker, CO

I actually make my clients sign a waiver for me if they do not get one.  They are so important in the inspection period.

Nov 04, 2008 02:22 PM
Bob Cliff
Your Castle Real Estate - Denver, CO

I saw an article in the paper about how many of owner occupants are having a really hard time competing with investors.  It seems that even though prices are still declining, the listing brokers for banks are creating bidding situations.

Nov 08, 2008 01:21 PM