Do I Really Need a Septic Inspection?
As affordable as owning a home is these days, bypassing inspections can be a costly mistake. Homebuyers would much prefer to spend every dime towards the purchase a home than to "waste" money on inspections that turn up no real issues.
But What If There Are Issues?
Buyers are getting used to the idea that a home inspection is in their best interest, but little attention is given to the septic system. Many take the attitude that if the home inspection turns out okay, then I'll worry about the septic system later. Anytime you bypass an inspection, it can be a big mistake. After closing is not the ideal time to find out that that the septic tank has a leak, is backing up sewage or needs to be replaced. What comes next can be an expense of a few hundred dollars or a few thousand dollars for which you weren't prepared.
Spending a few hundred dollars up front for a septic inspection could save you thousands at the end of the "closing road." For one, the repair would have possibly been something that you could have negotiated with the seller for them to pay for the repair. Now here it is after closing and you'll have to absorb the whole of the expense. If you're lucky, the repair won't cost any more than an inspection would have. But if you're not quite so lucky, Little Johnny may have to wait for that new pair of shoes.
WWBD?
When it comes to any type of inspection, it is best keep in mind the old adage from the book of Ben Franklin "“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
photo credit: SNC13724.JPG via photopin (license)
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