For those unfamiliar with rural property (think wells and septic systems), Cindy and Rich break down the basics and tell you how you can make sure you are protected when making an offer.
Click PLAY below! (or skip it and read all the important points transcribed below the video)
(Rich)
Morning Everyone, Rich Fournier here from The Fournier Experience Real Estate Team and Re/Max Chay. We’ve had a lot of buyers lately moving from urban areas to more rural ones so today we wanted to give you a quick crash course on purchasing a rural home. I’ve invited Cindy Johnston from our team to help me out as Cindy is our resident pro for buying and selling in the more rural areas of Simcoe County.
(Cindy)
Hi everyone
(Rich)
So Cindy, with buyer new to rural areas, what do you find they often overlook or need some guidance with?
(Cindy)
I would say that most buyers new to the rural market are unfamiliar with wells and septic systems and perhaps have misconceptions about how they work and what their pros and cons are.
(Rich)
So what kind of information do you share with them?
(Cindy)
I first assure them that having a well or septic system on their property, if installed correctly and maintained, doesn’t bring any more challenges than having municipal services.
In terms of wells, the things that should be of concern to a buyer are the water flow rate (whether or not the well can supply enough water to service the house) and the water quality. Both these items are always addressed in any offers we make on a rural property, specifically through the addition of clauses for a well inspection and water testing.
(Rich)
So we’ve all had it happen, a water test has come back with high counts of coliform or E.Coli, which make the water not potable – what’s the fix?
(Cindy)
When something like this happens, we amend the offer to ensure that a UV system is put in to the house to treat the water before it hits the taps and another water test is taken confirming that the water is potable. This is a fairly inexpensive system and kills any potential bacteria.
(Rich)
Awesome. So let’s talk septics….definitely daunting for someone not familiar with them.
(Cindy)
Believe it or not, septic systems are generally fairly maintenance free. Generally, for a few hundred dollars septic systems require pumping every 3-5 years.
With that being said, before purchasing, it is important to determine the location of the well and the septic to ensure there isn’t any cross-contamination. Additionally, buyer agents should be asking for septic permits and any other documentation on either system, such as maintenance receipts, water quality tests, etc.
(Rich)
Great tips Cindy. Aside from wells and septics, what other issues should buyers watch out for?
(Cindy)
Generally, Rich, that is very property dependent, but a few things to keep an eye out for are 1) property uses around your property. For example, is there a mushroom farm near that may be seasonally strong smelling; 2) whether or not the conservation authority has jurisdiction over the property, which will impact what you are able to do on the land; and 3) municipality bylaws, which once again will have an effect on what can be done to your new property.
(Rich)
As Cindy mentioned, those additional items are definitely property dependent, but all of our agents here can help you navigate that to make sure you are protected when putting in an offer on a rural property.
As always, we are here to answer any questions you have about buying or selling. Have a great day!