Real Estate Investor · Bristol County, MA · Member since 2010 · 153 posts · 37 votes
Hi Everyone,
For those that flip and rehab in MA, I have a question.
Most of the properties we're looking at to rehab have a septic system. Even ones with newer systems always seem to "fail Title V." :lol:
Anyway, I've been having difficulty finding deals for homes with septic systems because you have to budget in anywhere from 10 to 35k, depending on the house size. Most REOs obviously won't fix the septic to when selling.
We have experience with replacing a septic system - when we bought our first house (HUD home) a while back and our septic was on the lower end of the price scale, but it was a smaller home.
We've been trying to look at houses with city sewer to eliminate this cost, but it does lessen the available properties.
Real Estate Investor · Springfield, MA · Member since 2009 · 142 posts · 103 votes
16y
Hi Steph,
Septics are a pain, especially when you start getting into areas with high water tables and raised septic systems.
Banks know they can only sell these properties with failed septic systems to cash buyers so keep your eye on them as the prices should come down. If they have been on the market for a while maybe shoot over a low offer.
The other alternative is to stick with city sewer. This is what I do.
Also do some research on the presby environmental system. They are suppose to be cheaper to install.
Real Estate Investor · Springfield, MA · Member since 2009 · 142 posts · 103 votes
16y
Hi Steph,
Septics are a pain, especially when you start getting into areas with high water tables and raised septic systems.
Banks know they can only sell these properties with failed septic systems to cash buyers so keep your eye on them as the prices should come down. If they have been on the market for a while maybe shoot over a low offer.
The other alternative is to stick with city sewer. This is what I do.
Also do some research on the presby environmental system. They are suppose to be cheaper to install.
Real Estate Investor · Springfield, MA · Member since 2009 · 142 posts · 103 votes
16y
Hi Steph,
The last septic I did was actually over in Bristol county, a house in Dighton.
Not sure where in Bristol County you are but theres gotta be some good deals in Attleboro, Taunton, Fall River, New Bedford. I know all those are city sewer. I love buying in the city, you just gotta stick to the good neighborhoods.
Real Estate Investor · Bristol County, MA · Member since 2010 · 153 posts · 37 votes
16y
Dighton, that's a nice area...not too far from me. We were actually looking at a house in Berkley with a septic system.
I'm in the Attleboro/Seekonk area and there are a lot of older houses on city sewer near the center of Attleboro, not so much on the outskirts near Norton and Rehoboth. Same goes for Taunton city center. You trade one issue for another - the older houses on city sewer elimiate the need for a septic but then you have to deal with the new RPP lead rules.
Of course, a lot of the nicer (newer) homes needing rehab always seem to have septic! :-)