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Sewer lateral inspection and deposit required - Oakland
Sewer lateral inspections are an everyday occurrence and that comes part and parcel with a $4500 refundable deposit that each buyer must put in play to insure the work gets completed in a timely manner. This is a requirement on every sale. It is a pretty simple test where a camera is run through the sewer lateral. In some cases the sewer lateral is pretty long and there have been no clean outs installed to to even do the test some "clean outs" must be installed. 
The camera will tell you if there is a break in the sewer lateral that would required replacement. If it is broken it must be repaired. It only makes sense. 
How does this interface with the FHA 203k loan guarantee program? Simply this, if you are doing an FHA purchase in any of the areas where cities and EBMUD have imposed this “refundable deposit” we have reached some middle ground. As long as we meet their criteria EBMUD, on a case by case basis, will consider waiving that fee.
Remember it is a refundable deposit to insure the completion of the work in a timely manner, therefore, since an FHA loan requires this type work is the first  ... more

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