What to know about buying a home with a well

There are different considerations for buyers looking for country style living versus a city or suburban home. One of those considerations is water, as most rural properties rely on a well. If you’re thinking of moving out of the city and don’t know much about wells, make sure you do your homework and take note of these important tips.

Nathan Foote of Health Services Expeditors says that if you are looking to purchase a property with a well, the first question you should ask is: does the county in which the property is located have a point of sale program?

“Eaton, Ingham, Shiawassee, and Barry counties have these programs in place, which means that all wells and septic systems in the counties are subject to mandated health department inspections before a sale can close,” he said. “Some counties don’t have this mandate, such as Clinton and Jackson counties.”

When looking at rural properties with a well, Foote says one of the easiest things you can do is check if the well is sticking up above the ground somewhere in the yard.

“If you can see the well, it’s a good sign that it is a modern well,” he said. “If you don’t see it because it is either hidden or buried underground, this is called a “buried well” and you don’t want that. If you are in a mandated country it means someone is going to be spending some money to get that fixed.”

A potential buyer should also check if the well pump is located in the basement of the property. In most modern houses you shouldn’t see the pump, but if you tour a home and notice the pump in the basement, this is in issue. You should also check when the home was built, as the most important law regarding well safety took effect in February 1, 1969. Any home built after that date is very likely to be conformant.

To protect both buyers and sellers, Foote suggests that a well and septic inspection should be done as early as possible.

“Get that inspection done as soon as you can,” he said. “In mandated counties you will have to have it done anyway, but getting it taken care of early means you can find out all of your information ahead of time to avoid any surprises or unexpected equity loss.”

In any well and septic inspection, testing the safety of the water is a critical component. The basic testing typically includes bacteria and nitrate checks, but some lenders will require additional testing, such as lead and arsenic.

Foote says there is even more testing available, but he does not typically recommend it unless there is cause for concern.

“Michigan is a 90% groundwater state, and we are fortunate to have some strong groundwater laws,” he said. “Typically, it’s not necessary to do more testing than what the lenders require.”

If you are thinking of purchasing a rural property, make sure you enlist the help of a professional local REALTOR® who has experience in these homes and can help walk you through the process. Do your research and ask the important questions. Then, when you are ready, be sure to have a professional inspection done early to avoid costly surprises. For a listing of area service providers, visit the Greater Lansing Association of REALTORS® website at www.lansing-realestate.com.