Buying a House With Well and Septic in Genesee County: What Should You Check?

If you're buying a home in Genesee County, do not assume every property is connected to municipal water and sewer.

Some properties use a private well, a private septic system or both.

That does not automatically make the property better or worse. It means there are additional systems to understand before purchasing.

First, Verify What Actually Serves the Property

Do not rely solely on assumptions based on the mailing address or surrounding neighborhood.

Verify whether the individual property uses:

• public water or a private well
• public sanitary sewer or a private septic system

This matters even in communities where public utilities are available in some areas.

What Should I Know About a Private Well?

A private well supplies water to the property rather than relying on a municipal water connection.

Buyers should understand the well serving the particular home, including available records and the condition or performance information relevant to the transaction.

Water quality can also be an important part of a buyer's due diligence.

The appropriate testing can depend on the property, location and circumstances, so buyers should rely on qualified professionals and applicable local requirements rather than assuming all well evaluations are identical.

What Should I Know About a Septic System?

A septic system handles wastewater on the property instead of sending it through a municipal sanitary sewer connection.

Buyers should determine what is known about the system and its location and obtain the appropriate professional evaluation when applicable to the transaction.

Information such as maintenance history, system records and property-specific conditions may be useful when available.

Why Does the Location of the Well and Septic System Matter?

A buyer is purchasing the entire property, not simply the house.

Knowing where major private systems are located can matter when evaluating the property and future plans.

If you are considering additions, accessory structures, pools or other changes, do not assume every portion of the lot is automatically available for whatever you want to build.

Zoning, setbacks, easements, system locations and other requirements may affect future plans.

Verify before buying when a future use is important to you.

Should I Rely on the Seller's Disclosure Alone?

The seller's disclosure can provide useful information, but buyer due diligence should not end there.

The disclosure is not a replacement for appropriate inspections, evaluations, records research or professional advice.

If well or septic performance matters to your decision, investigate it during the time allowed by your purchase agreement.

What If the Property Has Public Sewer but a Private Well, or the Reverse?

That is possible.

Do not treat water and sewer as one combined question.

A property may have one public utility while using a private system for the other.

Verify each separately.

What Records Should a Buyer Look For?

Depending on the property and what is available, useful information may include permits, system records, prior evaluations, maintenance information and records held by the appropriate local authority.

Not every property will have the same documentation.

If records are unavailable, that is information the buyer should know rather than a reason to invent a history for the system.

Buying a Home With Well or Septic in Genesee County?

Private systems are not a reason to automatically reject a property. They are a reason to ask additional questions.

If you're looking at homes in Grand Blanc Township or elsewhere in Genesee County and want help knowing what to verify before making a decision, call or text Carrie Thompson with eXp Realty at 810-893-3269.