- Find a Real Estate Professional
- Realtors®
- Mortgage Lenders
- Home Improvement Pros
- Other Real Estate Services
- Review an Agent, Lender or Pro
- Marketing on Zillow
- Real Estate Agent Advertising
- Join the Professional Directory
- Popular
- Real Estate Market Reports
- More
Answers (4)
Best Answer
- sunnyview
- Contributions:25127
A septic system in good condition is not an issue. It is a common way for more rural properties that are not on a sewer line to process their own gray water and sewage. I would ask when the last time the system had been pumped out or serviced was. It is also smart to pay for an inspection of the system separate from your other inspections to find out if it is in good working order.
Carpenter ants are common. If you have a house that has had treatment done, ask when it was done and how extensive the damage was. Also ask where in the house they were found and for any treatment reports that the owner has. A regular pest inspection will tell you if the treatment was successful and if any damage was repaired correctly.
Water in basements can be trickier You need to know how much water there was and where it might have come from. It could be something as simple as a gutter that needed repair or as complex as an underground water source that would need to be pumped away from the foundation of the house. Ask more questions and get a good inspector to see if they can find the cause of the moisture. Often you can waterproof basements or put in a sump pump at a fairly reasonable cost once you find the source of the water. Inspections are key.
Carpenter ants are common. If you have a house that has had treatment done, ask when it was done and how extensive the damage was. Also ask where in the house they were found and for any treatment reports that the owner has. A regular pest inspection will tell you if the treatment was successful and if any damage was repaired correctly.
Water in basements can be trickier You need to know how much water there was and where it might have come from. It could be something as simple as a gutter that needed repair or as complex as an underground water source that would need to be pumped away from the foundation of the house. Ask more questions and get a good inspector to see if they can find the cause of the moisture. Often you can waterproof basements or put in a sump pump at a fairly reasonable cost once you find the source of the water. Inspections are key.
- Cheryl Talbot Real Estate, "Virginia Beach Homes"
- Contributions:674
The biggest issue here is the basement. I would hire an inspector who can assist you with the process of detemining whether or not it can be fixed. If the home is very old, it's probably what you will be able to expect there when you have heavy downfalls of rain. If the home is newer, it could be a problem you do not want to take on. The septic system should be inspected by a licensed inspector you specializes in septic systems and you might ask them to pump the system as well as testing the water. If the water is city then it most likely wouldn't be a standard to test it. We test water here only if it's on well. It's to be certain the water is safe to drink. Wood destroying insects can always be treated. That's fairly common. We have termites in our area which we see almost everywhere. They too can be treated. Have the home inspected subject to a release if you aren't satisfied with the results. If you still aren't sure where to go, seek legal counsel or secure a Realtor to assist you in the process and help protect your interest. Good Luck!
- Kelly Erickson, "Kelly M. Erickson"
- Contributions:32
...ask for a septic dye test and for the septic to be pumped AFTER an acceptable dye test has been received. Also, make an acceptable visual inspection by a qualified professional of the tank contingent upon the sale, if you are willing. This inspection can most times be done by the person pumping the tank, but you decide if that gives you the comfort level you need.
- Dan, "the_country_hick"
- Contributions:4694
If you have unwanted ants around the house buy some boric acid. It should be available at most gardening centers. It is a powder. Mix it at least 25% boric acid to sugar. I use 50/50 myself. After mixing the 2 together with a spoon just dump the mix onto the ground. The ants who like sugar will find it and take it all back home. I prefer to place a bowl over the pile with a small gap for the ants to get under. After a few days you will have to break up the mix as moisture clumps it together. You may end up doing this a few times before the pile is gone. The ants will carry it all away then disappear.
Carpenter ants, dampness in basement and septic sewer, are these very serious issues in the house?
We found a gorgeous house in Long hill, New Jersey, but the seller's disclosure statement shown that the carpenter ants were treated. In addition, it shows after heavy rainfall it was dampness in the basement. Furthermore, it has a septic system. We like the house but we scared of these issues. Any advice is truly appreciated.
Stating a discriminatory preference in an advertisement for housing is illegal. If you think this content is discriminatory or otherwise inappropriate and feel it should be removed from Zillow, please let us know by completing the information above.
We will review this content. Thanks for helping make the site more useful to everyone. To learn more, read Zillow's Good Neighbor Policy.