Would you purchase a house with Septic and Well water?

Question

Hi everyone,

I am looking to buy my first property in North New Jersey area. A lot of the houses in further North New Jersey are cheaper but usually they have septic and well water. Would you buy a house with those? do they entail with a lot of maintenance?

Thank you!

Kevin Hill · Answer

Above ground in the basement is better than in the ground. However, most buyers/renters prefer natural gas. If there is gas in the street, you could always convert.

George Skidis · Answer

Septic tanks are not an issue unless they are too close to the fresh water well supply.  Get the tank checked as a contingency of the purchase contract. Sometimes the laterals are plugged or collapsed. Treat the septic tank on a regular basis by flushing a box of Rid-X or similar product down the drain. If the system needs replaced there is a new one that you add a pill to every 30 or 60 days that puts out clean water on the ground surface.

Matthew Paul · Answer

I dont hesitate a bit with well and septic . Its very common in my area .  The trick is to use liquid laundry detergent and dont put grease down the drain . Pump every 3 or 4 years .   I have 4 properties well and septic , and havent had an issue

David Boroughes · Answer

Just make your offer contingent on inspections of the well and septic systems. You may have to pay a few hundred dollars for each inspection, but it will be well worth it to know if they are in good condition or need repair/replacement, then you can go back to the seller and renegotiate.

As far as owning goes, just make sure you and your tenant treat the septic correctly and not just flush anything, since you'll be on site that should be easier to control then if you were absentee landlord.

Deren Huang · Answer

I haven't bought anything with well water, but with septic. I would just get an inspection on it before to make sure it's not acting up.

Kevin Hill · Answer

If it is common to the area, I would be ok with it. Just make sure you get the well tested and the septic inspected. Septic tanks can be very expensive to dig up and replace. You have to get them emptied every 1-2 years.

Account Closed · Answer

You city dweller you! LOL. Well and septic are how its done as soon as you get out of the city. Maintenance is nearly none. You do need to be careful to only flush degradable materials. You can add a bio-eater every so often to help out the system. So long as you take care of the system, it will last a very long time with no monthly fee and no regular pumping. Same goes for the well. Get them both tested. Ensure your renters understand how to use a septic.

Downside is that you own them and if they do fail, its on you. Septic is big bucks because it is buried. Well is expensive because of the drill rig needed. Then again, if you live in the city, you will pay higher taxes and possibly get a special assessment when it comes time to replace those systems too.

On the upside, you own them. Some people like the idea of backing up the well pump with solar, wind or a hand pump, then being completely off the grid when it comes to water and waste.

Judy Parker · Answer

I am in the process of purchasing a multi-family with well water, septic, AND propane!  It will be a learning experience.  The beauty of Well Water is that it's Free!  No paying monthly water bills.  And Septic is not a big deal as long as it is maintained (you/your tenants must never put any bleach or chemicals down the toilets, tub or sinks).  I wouldn't totally discount a property merely due to septic.  There are lots of towns in NJ that are still on septic.

Would you purchase a house with Septic and Well water?

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