I know. Who wants to talk about septics and sewers? But this is definitely an issue for home buyers and one they need help understanding.

I have been working with a first time home buyer who have been fairly insistent that they want a home with public sewer. They just don't trust septic systems which can be costly to repair or replace. I was able to get them to look at some homes which are not on public sewer systems. On Saturday we looked at two houses in Hillsborough, NJ which have septic. The selling agents both told me that the township will be installing sewers within the next year.

That sounded like my problem was solved until I checked into what the public sewer is going to cost the home owners. First of all there will be a tax assessment which is yet to be determined because the township does not know yet what the system will cost. The estimates I have gotten are for $25,000 to be spread over a period of time. Let's say the township allows the home owners to pay this off in 25 years- that adds $1000 a year to their taxes.

Not to bad you say. But then there is the immediate cost of hooking up to the system. There are two fees charged for this which total $4000. These fees do not include the actual hook-up to the house which the home owner must contract with a plumbing firm to do. Depending on many factors, that cost could be another $4000.

In the long run, the sewer will save the home owners the hassle of failed septic systems. In the meantime my buyers are still looking for that perfect house.