Just like anything in life the right opportunities seem to sneak up on you when you least expect , and it is important to be prepared and know where to turn for the right guidance.   When it comes to buying a RANCHETTE, there are several different inspections that should not be over looked and questions that should be answered that may even be more important than everything else. When living in the city you take for granted the basic utilities that are provided to you and that require no maintenance on your part.

For starters the well and septic system are essential pieces of the infrastructure on a property and are pricey items if they need to be replaced or repaired. Irrigation is also another big feature and item that you as a buyer should investigate.

The Well: Moving from the city to county sometimes buyers forget that they must have their own water source, a well.  Repairs can be a major expense so you will want to get an inspection done. Several things to do with your Realtor when you go view the property would be to locate the well (you should see a well cap sticking out of the ground or even a well or pump house). More often than not there is a large galvanized tank called the pressure tank. Well and/or pump contractors are very diligent about putting their sticker on the pressure tank. I would take down this number and give them a call to see if they have any records on the well or pump. A well inspection will cost a buyer between $300- $500 depending on what is done. This inspection will provide you with basic information about the well; the depth of the well, a flow test that will determine the output and the water levels before and during pumping. The pump performance and size will also be determined as well as the condition and function of the pressure tank.

Testing of the water can also be done and will provide you with information about the quality of the water coming from the well. You can have your water tested for coliform bacteria, nitrates, iron, manganese, water hardness, sulfides and anything else of concern in your area that could pose problems with your plumbing, staining, water appearance, and odor . All of this will insure the safety of your water as well as help you determine if you need additional systems like reverse- osmosis or a water softener.

It’s so important as a buyer to know as much as possible and not to rely too much on others. I make a point to educate my buyers as much as possible so that they can make informed decisions on their own. Stay tuned for my next post on the septic system :)